MELAKA: After saving a man's life with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Datuk Seri Dr Raymond Yeo Gok Beng is on a mission to promote knowledge of the life-saving technique.
The Council of Datuk Dato’ Malaysia communications and membership committee chairman said that he never expected that performing CPR at a restaurant here would reconnect him with a long-lost friend.
"When I saw an elderly man collapse, I started CPR without hesitation and continued compressions for as long as I could," he said.
Yeo said the man was given immediate medical attention when an ambulance arrived and was later transferred to a private hospital in Melaka.
Remarkably, Yeo later found out that the man was a former schoolmate from Melaka High School.
"I connected with my buddy after three decades, and I am glad he is currently recovering from his heart ailment," he said.
Although the family wanted to reward him, Yeo turned it down, saying that he did not consider himself a hero.
"I only wanted to help. Now, I want to spread awareness of CPR as I noticed many did not know how to help the man after he collapsed in the restaurant," he said.
To this end, Yeo says he wants to educate those who receive honorific titles, such as "Datuk", on CPR and encourage them to be involved in volunteerism.
"The council will work closely with non-governmental organisations to create CPR awareness and ensure those with Datuk titles play a pivotal role in society," he added.
Yeo said this when met after visiting the home of the late The Star stringer Sardi Mahorm in Pulau Gadong here on Tuesday (May 28) night.
During his visit, Yeo also handed over a monetary contribution to Sardi's wife, Purinah Samsuri.
Sardi had passed away on Monday (May 27) at Serdang Hospital in Selangor after a month-long battle with a heart ailment.
