MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Ken Kobayashi, a firefighter here, saved a gentleman’s life at the Mikawa Town Summer Festival Aug. 2.
Kobayashi was spending his Sunday morning at a nearby festival when he heard cries for help.
“I was relaxing with my family when I heard someone shout for 911,” said Kobayashi. “When I ran in the direction of the screaming and shouting, I saw an older man laying on the ground choking.”
The man on the floor had been participating in a soba noodle eating competition when he began choking, causing him to lose consciousness and fall to the ground.
Kobayashi identified himself as a firefighter and then asked the crowd to back up to give him some room.
“I began performing the Heimlich Maneuver,” said Kobayashi. “I had performed it multiple times when I noticed his face turning blue and his eyes glazing over. I began applying more pressure. Finally, with one last hard hit, the food dislodged from his throat, opening his airway and allowing him to breathe again.”
Due to the rural location it was another 25 minutes until the local ambulance arrived. If he had not been there to assist in this medical emergency, the fortunate gentlemen may not have survived.
Upon arrival the paramedics checked the man’s vitals and deemed him OK to be released to his family.
The man Kobayashi had saved approached him and thanked him for his service.
“He came up to me and apologized and then continued to thank me,” said Kobayashi. “I was more concerned that I had hurt him while trying to save him. He assured me that he was feeling fine and was not injured.”
Kobayashi has a quiet unassuming nature and was reluctant to tell his fellow firefighters about the incident.
“I am a firefighter, trained to help people regardless if I am on duty or off. I took an oath to serve and protect the public,” stated Kobayashi.
His actions were immediately noticed by local citizens and would eventually reach the local city fire chief.
Realizing the remoteness of the festival and the availability of ambulances, the fire chief stated Kobayashi’s actions as lifesaving and critical to the outcome of the incident.
“An Iwakuni city fire chief called our station to praise and thank our firefighter Kobayashi for his service,” said Takuya Fukii, deputy fire chief for the station department here.
Days after the incident, Kobayashi was still receiving praise.
“I’m just glad I was able to help save his life,” said Kobayashi. “My job as a firefighter gives me honor, but I’m not special.”
This incident was not the first time Kobayashi saved a life. During his off time he works as a lifeguard at the station pools.room.
“I began performing the Heimlich Maneuver,” said Kobayashi. “I had performed it multiple times when I noticed his face turning blue and his eyes glazing over. I began applying more pressure. Finally, with one last hard hit, the food dislodged from his throat, opening his airway and allowing him to breathe again.”
Due to the rural location it was another 25 minutes until the local ambulance arrived.
If he had not been there to assist in this medical emergency, the fortunate gentlemen may not have survived.
Upon arrival the paramedics checked the man’s vitals and deemed him OK to be released to his family.
The man Kobayashi had saved approached him and thanked him for his service.
“He came up to me and apologized and then continued to thank me,” said Kobayashi. “I was more concerned that I had hurt him while trying to save him. He assured me that he was feeling fine and was not injured.”
Kobayashi has a quiet unassuming nature and was reluctant to tell his fellow firefighters about the incident.
“I am a firefighter, trained to help people regardless if I am on duty or off. I took an oath to serve and protect the public,” stated Kobayashi.
His actions were immediately noticed by local citizens and would eventually reach the local city fire chief.
Realizing the remoteness of the festival and the availability of ambulances, the fire chief stated Kobayashi’s actions as lifesaving and critical to the outcome of the incident.
“An Iwakuni city fire chief called our station to praise and thank our firefighter Kobayashi for his service,” said Takuya Fukii, deputy fire chief for the station department here.
Days after the incident, Kobayashi was still receiving praise.
“I’m just glad I was able to help save his life,” said Kobayashi. “My job as a firefighter gives me honor, but I’m not special.”
This incident was not the first time Kobayashi saved a life. During his off time he works as a lifeguard at the station pools.