The heartwarming story of a middle school student who saved his father, who had collapsed from cardiac arrest, through prompt CPR has belatedly come to light.

According to the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Fire Headquarters, at around 7:51 p.m. on October 18, a man identified as A collapsed due to breathing difficulties at an apartment in Deokjin-gu, Jeonju.

Son B, who witnessed his father collapse, immediately called 119 but was too flustered to state the exact address.

In response, the fire authorities immediately contacted A's wife to verify the address and dispatched an ambulance.

In the meantime, A lost consciousness and went into cardiac arrest. Remembering CPR techniques he had learned during school fire safety education, B immediately began chest compressions.

The 119 Emergency Medical Services Situation Room also initiated a video call with B to guide him in performing chest compressions at a steady rhythm.

B continued performing CPR for about 7 minutes until emergency responders arrived.

The paramedics, who arrived at the scene at around 7:58 p.m., restored the patient's heartbeat by performing professional emergency procedures, including automated external defibrillator (AED) use and securing the airway.

The fire authorities explained that a precious life was saved thanks to the combination of B's prompt initial response, the 119 dispatcher's quick location verification, and the guidance provided by the emergency situation management center.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's acute cardiac arrest survey, the survival rate when a bystander performs CPR is 15.3%, which is about 2.7 times higher than when it is not performed.

B's family expressed their deep gratitude to the 119 service for helping them protect the life of their beloved family member, adding that, having received such help, they intend to live ready to assist others if they ever witness a similar situation in the future.

Jin Hyung-min, head of the Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters, emphasized that this was a precious outcome achieved through the son's courage in putting the CPR he learned at school into practice during a real emergency, combined with the prompt and systematic response of the 119 service, stressing that prompt CPR by the initial finder is crucial for the survival of a cardiac arrest patient.

(Photo provided by Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters, Yonhap News)