Taoyuan Firefighters and Police University Students Rescuing Cardiac Arrest Diver

On September 13, 2024, four firefighters from the Taoyuan City Fire Department and a student from the Department of Fire Science at Central Police University were diving at a lake during their time off when they encountered a diver suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Although not in uniform, they immediately adopted a professional rescue posture, pulled the trapped individual to the surface, and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The five rescuers, hailing from the Taoyuan Fire Department and Central Police University, all possess rigorous fire and emergency medical training. The Taoyuan Fire Department has long been known for the principle that "saving lives knows no off-duty hours," with firefighters frequently participating in community volunteer service during their personal time. Meanwhile, the students in the Department of Fire Science at Central Police University receive practical training and instruction in diving safety as part of their coursework. The individuals had previously demonstrated familiarity with diving environments and rapid decision-making skills during multiple water rescue drills.

The victim suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while diving, and their legs were swept away by the current, preventing them from surfacing independently. The firefighters first used a rescue rope to pull the victim to the shore, and immediately began chest compressions and artificial respiration, continuing for about ten minutes until an ambulance arrived and took over. The patient was transported to Taoyuan General Hospital for resuscitation treatment. After evaluation by physicians, the patient could not be revived and was ultimately pronounced dead that evening.

Despite the rescue efforts