Lee Gang-hyeon, who saved his father's life using CPR skills his father had taught him, with his father Lee Jong-uk (right), chief of the Gimje Fire Department. [North Jeolla Province fire department]
Lee Gang-hyeon, who saved his father's life using CPR skills his father had taught him, with his father Lee Jong-uk (right), chief of the Gimje Fire Department. [North Jeolla Province fire department]

A young man saved his father's life by calmly performing CPR — a skill the father, a firefighter, had taught him.

According to the North Jeolla Province fire department, Lee Jong-uk, 58, chief of the Gimje Fire Department, collapsed suddenly on Oct. 11 while jogging with his son, Lee Gang-hyeon, 27, at Mohyeon Park in Iksan, North Jeolla Province.

Witnessing his father go into cardiac arrest, Lee Gang-hyeon immediately called 119 and, recalling the CPR his father had taught him, began chest compressions without hesitation.

He continued for about five minutes until paramedics arrived. When they reached the scene, Lee Jong-uk's pulse had partially returned.

Seven minutes later, however, Lee Jong-uk suffered a second cardiac arrest.

Paramedics responded immediately, administering advanced emergency care including defibrillation to restore his heartbeat.

Lee Jong-uk was then transported to Wonkwang University Hospital, where he underwent surgery and treatment. He recovered and returned to work Monday — about three weeks after the incident.

Fire authorities said the swift chain of response — his son's prompt CPR, followed by the paramedics' professional emergency care and the hospital team's rapid treatment — had together saved his life.

"I have spent my whole career as a firefighter saving many lives, but I never imagined my own son would one day save mine," Lee Jong-uk said. "I am truly grateful to my son for keeping his composure, and to the paramedics who gave everything they had."


betterj@heraldcorp.com