A running club saved the life of a man who collapsed while running on a track in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, on Sunday.
The Bangladeshi man in his 30s collapsed at the Kunsan National University sports ground at around 8 a.m., the Jeonbuk Fire Safety Headquarters said the following day.
Nearby, members of a running club called GUMP were holding their regular training session. When they saw the man collapse, they immediately called 119 and divided roles to keep him alive until help arrived.
Kim, a man in his 40s, received instructions from a 119 dispatcher over the phone, while three other members took turns performing CPR. Two of the three were reported to work in a fire department and an emergency operations center.
Shortly after, paramedics took over on arrival and administered advanced emergency treatment.
The man’s heartbeat and circulation were restored 13 minutes after the call was made, and he was taken to a hospital.
Fire authorities said the crew members' prompt response contributed significantly to the man's early recovery.
"Despite the suddenness of the situation, the members' calm and decisive actions played a major role in saving his life," said Jin Hyung-min, head of the Jeonbuk Fire Safety Headquarters.
"Cardiac arrest can strike anyone without warning," he said, urging people to keep CPR methods and heart defibrillators in mind in daily life.
seoy@heraldcorp.com
