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| Lee Seong-dong, left, Shin Tae-hyun / Courtesy of SK hynix |
By Baek Byung-yeul
It is hard to decide how to safely help someone who is in a critical condition, especially if they appear to be having a heart attack. However, two civic heroes were faithful in using their lifesaving skills in such a situation to become paragons of virtue.
Shin Tae-hyun and Lee Seong-dong, two engineers working at semiconductor maker SK hynix were on the subway on their way home from their workplace at around 7 p.m., April 23.
The subway was passing Cheonggu Station, subway line No. 6, and the two witnessed a middle-aged woman suddenly lose consciousness and collapse. While most of people in the train were just watching and feeling helpless, Shin and Lee didn't hesitate to help the woman.
Confirming that the woman was having a heart attack, the two quickly started cardiopulmonary resuscitation while a woman on the train called 119 for an ambulance.
After performing CPR for about three minutes, Shin and Lee could hear her heart start beating and the woman regained consciousness. The two engineers and the woman got off the train at the following station and met with a rescue worker. The rescue worker then checked the woman's condition and sent her home after confirming she was in a satisfactory physical condition.
Shin said he and his colleague could save the woman's life by performing CPR as they learned the critical medical treatment that can increase the chances of survival of a person who stops breathing.
"I could save her life as I had confidence after learning CPR at my work place," Shin said.
He also emphasized the importance of learning CPR because no one knows what could happen. "As I was ready to perform CPR, I could save the woman's life. In that sense, I think there should be more chances for citizens to learn how to perform CPR," Shin said.
SK hynix said the company has been running a CPR education program for its employees. To improve education quality, the company has been using an emergency medical training simulator provided by the Korea Association of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Shin completed the CPR professional rescue training course provided by the manufacturer.
In a bid to become more responsible for protection of the environment, SK hynix has been running a safety, health and environment (SHE) office to educate its employees at the firm's headquarters in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. Lee is in charge of the SHE program for his department, the company said.
Seoul Metro assistant manager Shin Dae-hwan, who was dispatched to the scene upon a citizen's report, expressed his gratitude to the SK hynix engineers for making a quick life saving response.
"The woman could be saved thanks to the SK hynix employees who made a quick CPR response. We really appreciate their efforts," Shin said adding the engineers exhibited good citizenship.
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