"Please Save Him"... Wando Firefighter Rescues Man in His 60s in Jeju

Witnessing an Emergency on the Chuja Island Festival Shuttle Bus

Daemyung Lee, a member of the Wando County Specialist Fire Brigade in Jeonnam, received the 'Heart Saver' certification after rescuing a cardiac arrest patient during a trip to Jeju Island.

According to the Wando Fire Station on December 8, Lee witnessed a man in his 60s fall into cardiac arrest after choking on food while riding a shuttle bus to the passenger ferry terminal, following a visit to the Chuja Island Chamgulbi Festival in Jeju on October 26.

Daemyung Lee, a member of the Wando County Medical Fire Brigade in Jeonnam, received the 'Heart Saver' certification after rescuing a cardiac arrest patient during a trip to Jeju Island. Provided by Wando Fire Station

Lee immediately attempted the Heimlich maneuver, and when it proved ineffective, switched to performing CPR, continuing chest compressions until the 119 emergency team arrived. The patient was transported to Jeju Halla Hospital for treatment and later returned to his daily life.

Lee said, "When the patient's wife pleaded, 'Please save him,' I was determined not to stop CPR until he was revived," adding, "The regular CPR training provided by the Wando Fire Station was extremely helpful in this real-life situation."

The Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters awarded Lee the Heart Saver certificate and badge. The Heart Saver certification, established in 2008, is given to individuals who revive cardiac arrest patients through CPR or the use of an automated external defibrillator.

The award ceremony, held in Jeju on December 8, was attended by Minseok Lee, Chief of the Wando Fire Station, and Kyungyun Choi, Chairman of the Wando County Volunteer Fire Brigade Association.

Chief Minseok Lee stated, "A volunteer firefighter saving a precious life outside his own region is more valuable than any reward," and added, "We will continue to strengthen practical, field-oriented training in the future."