A Man in His 50s Collapses at Marathon... Military Doctor Running Half Course Saves Him

Discovered Emergency Patient While Running Marathon
Performed CPR with 119 Emergency Team's Defibrillator

A man in his 50s participating in the Jeonbuk Jeongeup Donghak Marathon collapsed and lost consciousness but was saved thanks to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by a military medical officer who was also participating in the same event. According to the Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters on the 9th, a report was received around 10:08 a.m. that day about Mr. A (56), who was participating in the Jeongeup Donghak Marathon, collapsing and losing consciousness on the road in front of the Jeongeup Youth Training Center.

Captain Jang Yunsu, a military doctor belonging to the 5th Air Mobility Wing, restored consciousness to a cardiac arrest patient with cardiopulmonary resuscitation at around 10 a.m. on the 9th during the Jeonbuk Jeongeup Donghak Marathon. Photo by Captain Jang Yunsu

At that moment, someone among the crowd checked Mr. A’s condition. It was Captain Jang Yunsu, a military medical officer from the 5th Air Mobile Brigade, who was running the half course of the marathon. Captain Jang discovered Mr. A lying on the ground while running past the Jeongeup Youth Training Center. People had gathered around Mr. A, and the 119 emergency medical team had just arrived. Recognizing the urgency, Captain Jang pushed through the crowd to assess Mr. A’s condition. There was no consciousness, pulse, or breathing.

Despite the chaotic situation, Captain Jang, an internal medicine specialist, quickly assessed the patient’s condition and performed CPR using a defibrillator carried by the 119 emergency medical personnel. After about 10 minutes, vital signs appeared. Breathing and pulse gradually returned. The 119 emergency medical team immediately loaded Mr. A into the ambulance, and Captain Jang accompanied him. Fortunately, Mr. A regained consciousness inside the ambulance. Captain Jang only felt relieved and returned home after handing Mr. A over at Jeonbuk National University Hospital, which is an hour away.

Mr. A is currently recovering at Jeonbuk National University Hospital. In a phone interview with Yonhap News, Captain Jang said, "While working at a university hospital, I often saw patients in cardiac arrest, but today I was running the half course and found the patient, so I was initially flustered. However, I quickly regained composure and did my best to perform CPR. I am very grateful the patient survived."

Earlier, the story of Tae-woon Jeong (10), who saved a life by performing CPR on his mother who collapsed, as he had learned at school, in Bucheon City, Gyeonggi Province, was revealed belatedly. According to the Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters on the 9th, a report was received on January 8th that Mrs. B, Tae-woon's mother, suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed at a residence located in Bucheon City. Photo by Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters

Earlier, the story of Jeong Taeun (10), who saved his mother’s life by performing CPR as he learned at school when she collapsed in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, was revealed late. According to the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters on the 9th, a report was received on January 8th about Ms. B, Jeong’s mother, suddenly losing consciousness and collapsing at a house in Bucheon. Jeong performed CPR based on what he learned at school until the fire emergency medical team arrived. Upon arrival, the 119 emergency medical team checked Ms. B’s condition, used an automated external defibrillator (AED), and restored her breathing and pulse before transporting her to the hospital. Ms. B was discharged on the 14th of the same month and is currently continuing her daily life.