5 Defibrillator Shocks Save Man's Life in Hsinchu; Civilian and Firefighters Collaborate

A tourist from New Taipei City experienced a sudden medical emergency while visiting Zhubei, Hsinchu County, when he developed severe chest pain and collapsed. The 50-year-old man's wife pulled their car over and sought help.

Fortuitously, a private ambulance happened to be passing by. Its crew immediately began basic life support, including CPR, as the man had lost vital signs and was in cardiac arrest (OHCA). Hsinchu County firefighters soon arrived and took over the critical care.

Firefighters deployed an automated external defibrillator (AED) and an automated CPR machine. When the patient showed signs of refractory arrhythmia, a second defibrillator was connected for dual external defibrillation (DSED). He received strong heart medication and anti-arrhythmic drugs. After receiving five defibrillator shocks, the man was rushed to the nearby Tey-Ching General Hospital.

Medical staff at Tey-Ching Hospital treated the man, who had a complete blockage in his left anterior descending coronary artery. Following the successful intervention, he is now able to communicate normally and is expected to recover fully and be discharged soon. The successful rescue highlights the effective collaboration between private and public emergency services in Hsinchu County.