When a life hangs in the balance, every second counts. In moments of crisis, heroes step forward, armed with skill and courage, prepared to make a difference. As we commemorate World First Aid Day, we honour one of our heroes, 18-year-old Mohamed Noor Ilhan Bin Mohamed Salim, who was that hero, saving a life when every second counted. Ilhan put his first aid skills to the test in a cardiac arrest case in Yishun on 30 November 2023, following a notification on his myResponder App, and saved someone's life. His courage and resolve in the face of a life-and-death situation, exemplified his commitment to humanity and his compassion, making him an invaluable member of the community, and a true hero. He has received the ‘Singapore Civil Defence Force's Community First Responder’ award and the Singapore Red Cross' 'Lifesaver Award'. He urges people to learn first aid, and volunteer to save lives.

In the early morning of 30 November 2023, a shrill alarm pierced through the quiet of Yishun and jolted then 17-year-old Mohamed Noor Ilhan Bin Mohamed Salim out of his bed. It was a notification from the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s myResponder App alerting him of a cardiac arrest case at a block in his vicinity. Without hesitation, Ilhan, who was trained and certified in Standard First Aid (SFA) and Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS), responded to the alert, and raced to the scene. 

Putting His First Aid Skills to the Test

When Ilhan was reaching the casualty’s unit, he saw an off-duty paramedic officer administering Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on the casualty. Ilhan dashed to retrieve the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). When Ilhan re-entered the unit with AED, he saw the casualty's wife beside the casualty in tears.

Though Ilhan witnessed similar cases in his clinical postings as a nursing student at the Institute of Technical Education College East, it was his first experience responding to a case outside his clinical posting. The gravity of the situation dawned on Ilhan. This was a critical moment; not a simulation or training exercise but a real-life situation. Both he and the off-duty paramedic shouldered the heavy responsibility of saving that person's life.

Despite being certified in first aid, Ilhan's first aid skills, nerves and presence of mind were put to the test. Ilhan fumbled with the AED as panic crept in. As time was precious, Ilhan requested switching roles with the off-duty paramedic and administering CPR instead. 

By administering CPR, Ilhan ensured that the blood flowed to the casualty's brain and body. Ilhan focused on what he had learnt and mustered his confidence in his CPR skills. With the AED, the off-duty paramedic delivered electrical shocks to re-establish the casualty's heart’s rhythm. For 30 minutes, both worked in tandem in a race against the clock to keep the casualty alive till the Singapore Civil Defence Force's (SCDF) arrival. As the casualty was conveyed to the ambulance, Ilhan provided assurance and emotional support to the casualty's wife.

As the ambulance drove away, Ilhan realised that he and the off-duty paramedic had given the casualty a fighting chance of survival, and the family hope. Ilhan's own life has been transformed. 

Recognised for His Lifesaving Cause

His courage in stepping out of his comfort zone to save someone on his own accord, earned Ilhan the prestigious ‘SCDF Community First Responder’ award. The casualty’s wife, who was at the ceremony, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Ilhan for his lifesaving efforts and assistance to their family in time of need. 

Besides receiving the ‘SCDF Community First Responder’ award, Ilhan's lifesaving deed was also recognised at the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) Awards 2024 at HomeTeamNS Bedok where he received the Lifesaver Award  from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on 2 September 2024.

Ilhan's commitment and confidence in saving lives have amplified since that critical incident. From 1 December 2023 to 2 September 2024, Ilhan handled three more CPR cases through the myResponder App. 

His unwavering commitment to saving lives has garnered the respect and admiration from his peers. 

Ilhan recounted an incident where he was out on a walk with his friend when he received a loud notification on the myResponder App. His friend was bewildered by the sound, and enquired what that was. He explained that someone close-by was in need. He was compelled to desert his friend as he sprinted to the scene to attend to an emergency. 

A Passion for Service

Ilhan's desire to save lives is not new. He has been a dedicated volunteer with the SRC for over a year, serving as an Executive Committee member of the Red Cross Youth Chapter - ITE College East, where he serves as a First Aid Officer. 

Ilhan's passion to serve others stem from his younger days. He grew up in a close-knit family with three siblings, where values of compassion and support were instilled from an early age through mosque activities. In his secondary school days, he visited the elderly home. These formative experiences instilled in him a deep sense of empathy and a desire to make a tangible difference in people's lives. “Helping others gave me a sense of satisfaction,” he affirmed. 

The Ripple Effect of Service

For Ilhan, volunteering is about more than just offering time. It is about making a profound and meaningful impact in the lives of others. 

“When you volunteer, you're not just helping others, you’re gaining invaluable experience and confidence. You never know when your skills might save a life or provide crucial support,” he said.

A beacon of hope

Ilhan's story embodies the spirit of volunteerism and is a powerful testament to the extraordinary impact of individual actions in critical moments. 

As he continues to volunteer and respond to emergencies, Ilhan encourages others to embrace the opportunity to serve. 

“Volunteering is about using your skills for something greater. It’s about making a meaningful difference, and the satisfaction that comes from helping others is unparalleled,” he said.

In most cardiac arrest cases the chances of survival of the casualty diminish with every passing minute. In many cases eventually the casualties, especially the elderly with underlying heart conditions grapple to make it through. However, thanks to Ilhan’s swift and decisive intervention, one life was saved from the brink of disaster.

Ilhan’s story is a reminder that anyone can be a hero. With the right training, courage and willingness to act, ordinary people can make a profound difference by saving someone's life before medical aid arrives. They can offer that glimmer of hope for the casualty and the casualty's family. Ilhan's unwavering commitment to saving lives is not only an inspiration, it is a call to action for all of us. In the critical moments that define life and death, we can choose to be there when it matters most. 

By Yatin Pawa, Volunteer
Copyedited by Sondra Foo, Marketing & Communications