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| Firefighters Cho Min-joon, left, and Choi Young-gyun saved the life of a Chinese tourist in Okinawa, Japan, June 14. / Yonhap |
By Kang Seung-woo
Two firefighters, based in the southern city of Ulsan, have been recognized for saving the life of a Chinese traveler in Okinawa, Japan.
According to the Ulsan Jungbu Fire Station, Wednesday, firemen Cho Min-joon, 33, and Choi Young-gyun, 34, who were traveling in Japan's southernmost prefecture June 14, saw a Chinese man complain of chest pains and collapse suddenly in a shopping mall in Kokusai Street in Naha at 8 p.m.
After finding he was unconscious and in cardiac arrest, Cho started CPR and chest compressions, while asking a sales staff member to bring him an automated external defibrillator (AED) he had seen on the first floor of the mall.
Using the portable medical device that delivers an electric shock to restore a heart's normal rhythm, the two firefighters were able to resuscitate the man, who gained conscience and was transported to a hospital by the Naha City Fire Department's emergency medical workers. The man was reportedly released later.
According to the Asahi Shimbun, the Naha City Fire Department plans to send a letter of appreciation to Cho and Choi.
"The situation didn't become serious because of the proper treatment they gave at the scene," the fire department was quoted as saying.
"Emergency medical care is a battle against time. Kudos to them because what they did there was extremely appropriate."
Cho said, "I heard from the Naha City Fire Department that it would send a letter of appreciation to Ulsan. Relieved that the Chinese tourist was released without after-effects, I wish him good health in the future."
