A participant in his 50s who suffered cardiac arrest during a table tennis tournament regained consciousness thanks to the swift response of citizens and off-duty firefighters at the scene.

According to the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Fire Headquarters today (August 24), a participant in his 50s suddenly collapsed while complaining of chest pain during a table tennis tournament held at Hwasan Gymnasium in Jeonju on the evening of August 22.

Faced with the critical situation, nearby citizens immediately began CPR, while a tournament official used the public address system to search for medical staff on site.

Jeong Gyeong-su, a fire inspector at the Jeonju Wansan Fire Station, and Jeong Ui-seon, a fire sergeant at the Wanju Fire Station, who were participating in the tournament at the time, rushed over upon hearing the announcement and joined in the emergency response.

The two firefighters delivered an electric shock using an automated external defibrillator (AED) and continued performing CPR alongside citizens until emergency medical services arrived.

The fallen patient's pulse began to gradually return after about four minutes.

Jin Hyeong-min, head of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Fire Headquarters, said, "Citizens and off-duty firefighters saved a precious life by continuing first aid," adding, "I deeply thank the citizens for their courageous response in stepping forward without hesitation during a critical moment."

(Photo provided by Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Fire Headquarters, Yonhap News)