"Anyone Would Have Acted Without Hesitation"... NCOs Save Mother of Four at Swimming Pool

"Thank You to the Soldiers Who Saved a Life
in a Critical Situation"

The story of a mother of four children who lost consciousness at a swimming pool and was saved thanks to the quick actions of non-commissioned officers has come to light.

According to Yonhap News and the Army 1st Division on July 30, Sergeant Lee Hyunsik (32) of the 1st Division Tank Battalion and Sergeant First Class Sung Kyuseok (35) of the Army 2nd Armored Brigade discovered a woman lying face down and motionless while enjoying water activities with their families at an outdoor swimming pool in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on July 13.

Sergeant Sung Kyuseok of the Army 2nd Armored Brigade (left) and Staff Sergeant Lee Hyunsik of the 1st Division Tank Battalion (right). Yonhap News Agency · Army 2nd Armored Brigade

They immediately pulled the woman out of the pool, confirmed that she had no breathing or pulse, and began CPR after calling 119. Sergeant Lee used his mobile phone to relay the woman's condition to the firefighters in real time, while Sergeant First Class Sung continued CPR until the 119 emergency team arrived.

After about 10 minutes of emergency measures, the woman fortunately regained spontaneous breathing. The two men assisted the 119 emergency team with final emergency care and stayed by her side until she was transported.

The heartwarming story became known after the woman posted a message of gratitude on the "People's Sinmungo" online bulletin board. Introducing herself as "the mother of four children," she said, "I am deeply grateful to the soldiers who saved my life with their prompt actions in a critical situation."

Sergeant Lee and Sergeant First Class Sung said, "Anyone in that situation would have acted without hesitation," and added, "We are grateful to have saved a life, and we will always rush to any scene where the people need us in the future."