Fifth Vital [EN]: Chapter 442

443. Why the Stairs?

Instinctively assuming it would be a ship, the two men exclaimed simultaneously, their expressions mirroring surprise.

“Hey! Tae-kyung, did I hear you right? I didn’t mishear you, did I?”

“Right. Even so, a helicopter coming to the island at this hour?”

“Yeah! It’s coming. When transporting a patient, time and location don’t matter. It has to come if needed. Hello?”

Tae-kyung, who had been observing the two men’s dumbfounded expressions, suddenly answered his vibrating phone.

“Yes, this is Kim Tae-kyung speaking. Is that so? Yes. I’ll check and contact you immediately.”

“What’s that call about?” Lee Jae-hyun asked, noticing Tae-kyung’s serious demeanor, a stark contrast to his earlier composure.

“It’s a paramedic on a fire rescue helicopter, asking if I know of any suitable landing spots nearby.”

Since this was the first time a patient was being transported by helicopter from Huirak Island, the paramedic contacted Tae-kyung directly, assuming he was a doctor on the island.

The helicopters typically used for patient transport include the Doctor Helicopter, essentially a flying emergency room, and rescue or fire rescue helicopters operated by the fire department.

Notably, while Japan boasts over 40 Doctor Helicopters and the United States has over 900, Korea has only 7.

Due to this limited number, immediate access across the country is challenging.

Fortunately, Lee Jun-yeok’s condition allowed for transport by a fire rescue helicopter, thanks to the successful emergency surgery.

Park Jun-seok and Lee Jae-hyun seemed quite surprised by the helicopter news, but Tae-kyung was equally astonished.

A moment after the surgery, he had received a call from Gam Deok-chan.

‘Director, it’s me. Did the patient’s surgery go well?’

‘Yes, thanks to you, Assemblyman, the surgery went well. Thank you.’

‘Is that so? I should be the one thanking you. You went on a trip and ended up doing surgery, but I’m glad the patient is okay. More importantly, about the transport…’

‘Yes, Assemblyman.’

‘I’ve been considering it, and I believe an aerial route would be preferable to a sea route. What do you think, Director?’

‘Aerial route? Are you suggesting a helicopter?’

‘Yes, that’s correct. A helicopter.’

‘Is that even possible?’

‘What’s impossible when saving a life? I cautiously brought it up, but the Governor had already considered the helicopter and mentioned it first.’

‘Assemblyman, I’m incredibly grateful.’

Tae-kyung was speechless, overwhelmed by the unexpected helicopter transport.

While on the phone, the sound of the helicopter had surprised him so much that he could only imagine how Park Jun-seok and Lee Jae-hyun were feeling now.

“A helicopter… Whoever arranged this has considerable influence.”

“Right. But we need to find a landing spot first. Since we’re not residents here, our discussion is somewhat limited.”

“Helicopter?” Kim Han-sol emerged from the recovery room as Lee Jae-hyun finished speaking and approached the group, asking, “Is this about my husband? Is Jun-yeok being transported by helicopter?”

“Yes, guardian, that’s correct.”

“Oh my! To go to such lengths for us… Thank you so much.”

“Guardian, more importantly, is there a space nearby where a helicopter can land?”

Because the helicopter arrangement was thanks to Gam Deok-chan’s efforts, Tae-kyung felt a sense of urgency.

Regardless of the National Assembly member and the Governor’s involvement, transporting the patient would be impossible without a suitable landing site.

“Would a vacant lot be sufficient for a helicopter?”

“If it’s a wide vacant lot or a similar open space, it should be possible.”

“A wide space…” Kim Han-sol pondered, searching on her phone, but she was unsure, having never witnessed a helicopter landing.

“I’m not sure how large ‘wide space’ is.”

“A vacant lot of at least 22 meters [approximately 72 feet] in length and width should suffice.”

Tae-kyung, having researched the space requirements for helicopter takeoff and landing, offered this information.

Often, in dramas, movies, or news reports, one might see a space with a large ‘H’ painted on a building’s roof.

These are heliports.

According to building evacuation and fire-resistant structure standards, the requirement is 22 meters, but it can be reduced to 15 meters [approximately 49 feet] if the building’s floor size is smaller.

“Even a space of at least 15 meters is acceptable.”

Tae-kyung, having conducted a detailed search, added to Kim Han-sol.

“15 meters?”

Kim Han-sol briefly considered the restaurant parking lot but shook her head.

The surrounding structures made it entirely unsuitable for a helicopter landing, let alone meeting the 15-meter requirement.

Despite her familiarity with Huirak Island, finding a suitable landing site proved challenging.

“I’ll ask my parents-in-law.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“That’s good.”

“The elders will likely know, so that would be helpful.”

The three, diligently searching with the map app, agreed.

She had planned to inform both sets of parents, especially her mother-in-law, about her husband’s accident tomorrow.

It was late, and she wanted to deliver the news calmly, as the two, who suffered from high blood pressure, might be unduly alarmed. But circumstances dictated otherwise.

Just as Kim Han-sol was about to call her parents-in-law, it happened.

“Wait a minute!” Oh Sim-bo shouted as he ascended the stairs.

A moment earlier, Oh Sim-bo had experienced a strange sensation after Kim Han-sol’s blunt remarks.

While the words weren’t pleasant, he strangely didn’t feel offended but rather wondered why she had said them.

It stemmed from the story about his son at the restaurant. Hearing it, he realized his words and actions had been misguided.

And upon reflection, he found no fault in her statements, leaving him with no reason to feel resentful.

Oh Sim-bo wanted to apologize to Kim Han-sol, but he hesitated, finding it more difficult than anticipated.

Then, overhearing the four discussing the helicopter, he quickly came upstairs.

“If it’s a place to land a helicopter, I know one.”

“There’s such a place?”

“Yes.”

Oh Sim-bo immediately searched on his phone and showed them a location near the hospital.

“It’s here. It’s vacant land intended for a cafe with a park, and there’s nothing around. And the ground is paved with asphalt, making it ideal for a helicopter landing.”

According to Oh Sim-bo, it was the perfect spot.

“How far is it from the hospital to the location?”

“It’s about 1 kilometer [approximately 0.6 miles] from here.”

1 kilometer was a little over 8 minutes’ walk for an average adult.

Tae-kyung considered the situation.

Moving the patient would save time compared to the rescue helicopter landing and the paramedics coming to the hospital.

There was no need for the paramedics to come to the hospital.

“Hello? Yes, this is me, paramedic. I’ve found a landing site for the helicopter. Yes, there’s a vacant lot about 1 kilometer east of the hospital. I’ll text you the exact location right away. And we’ll move the patient there. Yes, I’ll see you there.”

Tae-kyung hung up and addressed the group.

“Everyone heard the call, right? We’re moving patient Lee Jun-yeok to that location.”

“Yes, let’s move him. Who moves him doesn’t matter. Let’s all help.”

Park Jun-seok agreed with Tae-kyung and displayed an enthusiastic attitude.

“But what about transportation? Doctor, you don’t have an ambulance here, do you?” Lee Jae-hyun asked Oh Sim-bo.

“No, we don’t.”

“We don’t need a car. Let’s move him on foot.”

Tae-kyung had intended to move the patient on foot from the start.

Of course, a vehicle to transport Lee Jun-yeok would be convenient. But finding a car that could accommodate a mobile bed at this hour was no simple task.

Walking along the sidewalk was a better option than wasting time searching for a vehicle.

“Yes, let’s move him ourselves.”

“I’ll help too.”

With Tae-kyung leading the way, everyone hurried to prepare Lee Jun-yeok for transport.

After a short while, they were ready and descended to the first floor with Lee Jun-yeok.

There were two mobile beds.

One was the bed with a safety belt where Lee Jun-yeok was lying, and the other held the equipment connected to his body.

Since they couldn’t carry the connected devices, they decided to place them on the second bed.

Tae-kyung, being well-built, along with the bulky Park Jun-seok and Lee Jae-hyun, decided to carry the bed with Lee Jun-yeok as a team.

The middle-aged nurse and Kim Han-sol, who had assisted in the operating room, were responsible for the bed with the machines.

Finally, Oh Sim-bo volunteered to hold the IV stand with the IV fluid and medication that couldn’t be placed on the bed.

The internal medicine doctor on duty assisted with preparations but couldn’t accompany them as he had to oversee the hospital.

“It’s obvious, but never drop the patient. And don’t fall over.”

Tae-kyung reminded Park Jun-seok and Lee Jae-hyun.

“Of course.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll never drop him.”

“You two shouldn’t drop the machines either.”

“Of course.”

The operating room nurse nodded, and Kim Han-sol’s expression was serious, even grave.

“It’s very dark outside. There are places without streetlights, so everyone be careful and use the lanterns well as you go. Then, let’s begin.”

Tae-kyung and his companions rechecked the machines connected to Lee Jun-yeok and left the hospital.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the quiet night.

The expressions on their faces were solemn, as if they were undertaking a momentous mission.

Tae-kyung and Oh Sim-bo, at the front, illuminated the path with lanterns from the hospital.

“Hyung [older brother/friend], are you okay?”

Tae-kyung checked on the others after about 5 minutes.

“Of course, I’m okay. Jae-hyun, are you okay?”

“Of course. If three men can’t carry one adult, something’s wrong.”

“Guardian and doctors, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m okay.”

“Me too.”

It wasn’t so heavy that they were groaning, but moving a patient who had undergone emergency surgery, especially at night, was no easy task.

They were very careful with each step.

A stumble over a small stone or a loss of footing could endanger the patient, overshadowing any personal injuries.

“Oh, Doctor, do you know how much further we have to go?”

“We’re almost there,” Oh Sim-bo answered Tae-kyung’s question.

“Just a little further.”

In contrast to his initial opposition to the surgery and prickly demeanor, Oh Sim-bo was now cooperative and proactive.

“Do you see the fallen sign down there? Turn right there, and you’ll be there. But there’s one problem.”

“Problem?”

At the word ‘problem,’ Tae-kyung and the others reacted with heightened attention.

“From the road after you turn right, there are stairs going down.”

“Why the stairs?” Lee Jae-hyun asked casually, then continued, “If there are just a few stairs, we can manage.”

“It’s not just a few; the road leading down to the vacant lot is quite a spiral staircase.”

“……!”

At that moment, as if on cue, everyone stopped walking.

“A spiral staircase?”