Video Call with 119 Saves Hiker Suffering Cardiac Arrest on Hallasan Mountain

A hiker on South Korea's Hallasan mountain was saved thanks to a crucial video call with emergency services after suffering cardiac arrest. The incident occurred on the Gwaneumsa trail when a hiker, identified as Mr. A, collapsed and became unresponsive.

Another hiker, Ms. B, immediately called 119 (the emergency number in South Korea). While rescue teams were dispatched, the emergency call center initiated a video consultation with Ms. B. Following the dispatcher's precise instructions, Ms. B calmly administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) found nearby.

Approximately 10 minutes of these guided emergency efforts were performed before the official rescue team arrived. Remarkably, Mr. A regained spontaneous circulation and breathing before the rescuers reached the scene. He was later transferred to a hospital, reportedly in stable condition with good consciousness.

Officials from the Jeju Fire and Safety Headquarters praised the swift and accurate guidance provided via video call. They stated that this real-time, video-based assessment and instruction played a vital role in saving the hiker's life, especially in an environment where rapid access for emergency medical personnel can be challenging.

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The swift video-based patient assessment and accurate emergency response guidance from the emergency call center before the arrival of the rescue team played a crucial role in saving the patient's life.