Off-Duty Firefighters Save Toddler Choking on Candy

Off-duty firefighters who were undergoing training have successfully rescued a young child who was choking on a piece of candy by performing prompt emergency aid.

According to the Hoengseong Fire Station in Gangwon Province on June 19, firefighters from the Ucheon 119 Safety Center were drinking coffee in front of a convenience store in Yongdun-ri, Ucheon-myeon, Hoengseong-gun, at around 2:00 p.m. yesterday, June 18, when they happened to spot a toddler, estimated to be 2 to 3 years old, showing signs of airway obstruction.

Given that the child was gasping for air while holding a piece of candy in one hand, it was presumed that the candy was stuck in the child's throat.

After assessing the child's condition, a firefighter identified as Fire Lieutenant Shin immediately performed the Heimlich maneuver, while Fire Inspector Yoo supported the child to ensure the procedure could be carried out safely.

The Heimlich maneuver is an emergency technique used when the airway is blocked by a foreign object. For infants and toddlers, it involves placing the child face down to deliver back blows or performing chest thrusts to dislodge the object.

After one minute of performing the maneuver, the candy was dislodged from the child's mouth, and the child was safely returned to the arms of their parents before heading home.

At the time, 10 staff members from the center, including Fire Lieutenant Shin, had just finished a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) training session on their day off when they witnessed the situation and stepped in to help.

It is reported that the child's parents repeatedly expressed their gratitude to the firefighters.

Fire Inspector Yoo and Fire Lieutenant Shin stated, "We did what we were supposed to do as firefighters," adding, "As fathers raising our own children, it is even more meaningful to have been able to save a child in danger."

(Photo courtesy of Hoengseong Fire Station, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.