"I Want to Learn CPR" Surge in Searches for Handling Crushing and Suffocation Accidents

Growing Concern Over Crush and Suffocation Accidents in Itaewon Mass Disaster
Accidents Can Occur Even on Flat Areas Like Subways... Securing 'Space in Front of Chest' Is Crucial

Firefighters are performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during the 2022 Northern Gyeonggi Emergency Rescue Comprehensive Training held last April at KINTEX in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Culture Intern Reporter Young In] On the night of the 29th, a large-scale crowd crush accident occurred as crowds gathered in the Itaewon-dong area of Yongsan-gu, Seoul, ahead of Halloween. This has led to calls for education on how to respond to crowd crush accidents, similar to drowning or earthquake preparedness. Citizens have also expressed their sorrow, saying things like "I want to know in detail how to perform CPR" and "If only I had known how to respond to a crowd crush..." and are searching for ways to handle crowd crush and suffocation accidents.

A crowd crush accident is a fatal incident caused by pressure, that is, a strong compressive force. Severe external force is applied to the chest, preventing breathing and causing suffocation. At this time, air does not reach the lungs, leading to oxygen deprivation and death. The inability to breathe due to pressure is called traumatic asphyxia.

The Itaewon tragedy is estimated to have occurred as tens of thousands of people tried to move through a narrow alley, and the damage was worsened because it was on a downhill slope. Usually, deaths caused by pressure are more common when a person is crushed under weight, resulting in compression or rib fractures, rather than direct crushing of the body. Death can also occur due to multiple organ damage caused by pressure.

Even on flat ground, one cannot be careless. If many people are crowded in a narrow space, such accidents can happen anywhere, including public transportation like subways. At this time, if 100 adults weighing 65 kg each push simultaneously, the pressure can rise to as much as 18 tons.

If cardiac arrest occurs due to compression, the golden time is 3 to 4 minutes. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) must be performed during this period; missing this window can lead to brain death or death. The Korean Association of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation provides the following 'CPR procedure': ▲Check responsiveness ▲Call 119 (emergency services) ▲Check breathing ▲Perform 30 chest compressions ▲Perform 2 rescue breaths ▲Repeat chest compressions and rescue breaths ▲Recovery position (when the patient regains consciousness).

For chest compressions, perform them strongly and quickly at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute and about 5 cm deep. Rescue breaths should be given by pinching the patient's nose and blowing air over 1 second until the chest rises.

In fact, during the Itaewon tragedy, when the number of paramedics was insufficient compared to the injured, a citizen shouted, "Is there anyone who knows how to do CPR who has served in the military?" This was followed by calls for nurses and medical personnel to help. It was an urgent situation requiring the hands of people who properly know CPR.

Prevention of Suffocation Accidents. Photo by Kids Hyundai

If you are caught among people, it is important to secure 'space in front of the chest.' Extend your arms forward, then grasp the inside of your left arm with your right hand and your right elbow with your left hand, crossing your arms to create space in front of your chest. Spreading your legs apart increases your ability to resist pressure. This posture secures the range of motion of the diaphragm and ribs necessary for inhalation against the forward and backward pressure, allowing air to reach the lungs.

If you cannot cross your arms, you should place a bag or doll against your chest to relieve pressure. If you fall, it is safer to protect your head with your hands and pull your arms and legs as close to your body as possible, then lie on your side.

Experts say that the most important thing in a crowd crush situation is 'order.' Professor Lee Yong-jae of the Department of Fire Science at Kyungmin University emphasized 'preemptive control' repeatedly in an interview with 'YTN Good Morning YTN' on the 30th, stating, "Even as an expert, there is no sharp solution when the crowd density reaches this level."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.