"Body Reacted on Its Own" Driving License Examiner Saves Cardiac Arrest Witness

Jeonnam Driver's License Test Center Examiner Kang Byeong-ok

"My body reacted instinctively with the thought that I had to save him."

A story about a driver's license test center employee saving the life of a citizen who lost consciousness and collapsed during the practical test has become a hot topic.

On the 21st, Yonhap News reported that the day before, Kang Byeong-ok (31), the examiner in charge, rushed in after hearing a shout that "a man in his 50s, A, who was taking the Class 1 large vehicle license practical test, seemed to have lost consciousness inside the bus." A suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed during the practical test to obtain a large bus license, causing an accident by hitting the safety barrier.

(This photo is not directly related to the article.) [Photo by Pixabay]

Immediately after the accident, Kang, who was working inside the test center, heard an urgent situation report from the safety officer in the control room. Kang then ran about 100 meters from the control room outside the test center to the bus and first checked A’s condition through the window. After confirming that A was collapsed, barely leaning on the seatbelt, Kang reported the situation to the fire department.

Kang entered the bus through the window, unfastened A’s seatbelt, laid him down on the bus floor, and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It is known that the bus doors were closed for the safety of the examinees. Therefore, Kang entered the bus through the open window on the driver’s side.

At the time of the initial CPR, A was reportedly in cardiac arrest. However, Kang did not hesitate and repeatedly performed chest compressions and rescue breaths. After about 10 minutes of CPR by Kang, the 119 emergency responders who had been called arrived. With the responders’ emergency treatment and use of a defibrillator, A’s heart started beating again.

Jeonnam Driver's License Examination Office Examiner Kang Byung-ok
Photo by Yonhap News

A was transported to the hospital with a guardian who was at the test center. After the use of the defibrillator and advanced airway management, he fortunately regained consciousness on the bus on the way to the hospital.

On the 21st, Kang Byeong-ok told Yonhap News, "Those 10 minutes of performing CPR were the longest time of my life," adding, "The safety training I received at the test center was a great help. Since such emergency situations can happen anytime, I hope many people receive this training."

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