The sound of shuttlecocks slicing through the air fills the court. Each leap, smash, and drop sends hearts racing and adrenaline pumping. As a thrilling game of speed and skill, badminton is one of the most popular participation sports in Malaysia, enjoyed by people of all ages [1]. The country is estimated to be the second-largest badminton hub in the world, trailing only China.
However, the intensity of this sport carries significant risks. The quick bursts of energy and sudden stops can put a strain on the heart, raising the risk of cardiac arrest. A recent tragedy highlighted this danger to a wider audience: on June 30, a talented 17-year-old badminton player collapsed and died of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) during the Asian Junior Championship.
In a separate incident in Penang this August, a 60-year-old man experienced the same cardiac emergency at a rural badminton court. But fortunately, quick first aid from local residents and the availability of a nearby AED (Automated External Defibrillator) changed the outcome.
Learn from Success:
Secure the Out of
Hospital Chain of Survival
On the night of the incident, Mr. Tan went to the badminton court in Machang Bubok, as he usually does, maintaining his habit of playing twice a week. As he recalled, after finishing his game, he approached a chair to rest when he suddenly fainted, unaware of what happened next.
The unexpected event brought the lively atmosphere to a halt, and everyone rushed to help.
One of Mr. Tan's teammates immediately began CPR after realizing he was pulseless and breathless. Two calls were made—one to emergency services, as is standard practice, and the other to a local lifesaver, Mr. Augustine Wong, who had an AED and had taken the initiative to cover the Machang Bubok area.
Mr. Augustine Wong
Machang Bubok Resident
Member of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies
Augustine has volunteered in local first aid efforts in Machang Bubok for years.
Recognizing the community's limited access to hospital care and lack of public AEDs, he purchased an AED and in no more than 8 months, he has deployed it five times, with Mr. Tan being one of the survivors.
"I was at home when I received a message about an unconscious man at the badminton hall next to my house. Someone was already performing CPR. I grabbed the AED from my fence and hurried to the hall. I connected the AED to Mr. Tan, and it advised a shock,” Augustine explained.
After the first shock, Augustine continued CPR for about two minutes before noticing that Mr. Tan had started to breathe again. He checked for a pulse and found that Tan's heartbeat had returned. At that moment, the ambulance and emergency medical team arrived on the scene. After providing oxygen and a brief examination, Mr. Tan was transferred to Hospital Bukit Mertajam for further treatment.
CPR
Identifcation & Emergency Call
Immediate CPR
Early Defbrillation
Advanced Resuscitation & EMS Transport
In-Hospital Post-Arrest Care
After surgery, Mr. Tan has now returned home to recover. Although he won't be able to play badminton in the short term, his experience has had a significant impact on the local community.
Mr. Tan Hock Seng
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor Machang Bubok Badminton Hall Incident
Before this incident, I always thought I was in good health with no cardiac disease history. This experience has been a wake-up call for me and those around me. it's essential to have AEDs available in places like stadiums, along with ensuring everyone knows basic first aid for unexpected emergencies.
Establishing a National Model for a Heart-Safe City
Mr. Tan's story highlights a key aspect of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA): its unpredictable nature. It can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time, often without warning.
“Sudden cardiac arrest, by its definition, is sudden acute disturbances in the heart's electrical activity, preventing it from functioning normally. Clinically, this means the victim has no heart rate, no blood pressure, and no breathing; they are effectively clinically dead,” explained Dato' Dr. Luah Lean Wah, President of the Malaysia Resuscitation Association and Penang Heart Safe Society. “In 60 to 70% of cases, SCA presents as ventricular fibrillation (VF), and the critical period for reversing VF is just three minutes.”
A 2015 study revealed that in Malaysia, only about 8% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) victims reached the hospital, and the survival rate upon discharge was even lower—just 0.5% [2].
In response, Dr. Luah initiated the Penang Heart Safe Program the same year, with support from the Penang state government, NGOs, medical communities, and private industry partners.
Penang Heart Safe Program
Malaysia's first initiative to create a heart-safe community, making it a better place for residents. Its key efforts include:
- Raising awareness about SCA and encouraging support
- Providing mass CPR and AED training
- Installing AEDs and establishing first responder sites in high-risk areas
- Boosting the number of trained first responders and volunteers
Through years of collaborative efforts, the program has significantly improved community outcomes, resulting in over 300 AED projects across the city and an increase in the OHCA survival rate from less than 1% to approximately 3%.
“I remember our first CPR survival in 2018, three years after launching the program. To date, we have recorded 15 survivors, with the latest case occurring on October 11th at the Karwa Mosque during Friday prayers,” Dr. Luah added.
Dr. Muhammad Naeem Bin Ali
Emergency Physician
Rescuer in Karwa Mosque Incident
A few minutes before prayers, I saw a middle-aged gentleman collapse from a distance. As I got closer, I noticed he was having brief seizures, indicating an abnormal heart rhythm. Many people might hesitate in emergencies for fear of making a mistake, but along with two other rescuers—who are not doctors—we successfully brought Mr. Syed back to life.
Mr. Harun bin Lazim
Rescuer in Karwa Mosque Incident
I was by Mr. Syed's side when he suddenly collapsed. I
called out to him but saw that he was unconscious. Having
received first aid training, I quickly began CPR to save
him.
Mr. Muhammad Syafie Bin Mohd Subree
Rescuer in Karwa Mosque incident
I heard someone shout 'AED', so I quickly rushed to grab the
AED in the mosque and headed straight to Mr. Syed. I was
panicked at the time, but I worked alongside Mr. Naeem to
use the AED until Mr. Syed regained consciousness.
Mr. Zahari bin Zakariah
Chairman of Karwa Mosque
I am grateful that the AED in our mosque saved Mr. Syed's
life. This incident has highlighted to us that if possible,
all communities, including mosques, should be equipped with
such life-saving devices to handle similar emergencies.
Accessible + Capable:
A Long-term Joint
Effort
For the Penang Heart Safe Program, the past 10 years have laid a solid foundation, but much work remains — especially considering that a survival rate of 3% is still too low.
Dato' Prof. Dr. Lee Toong Chow, a leading CPR activist in Malaysia, notes that OHCA cases frequently occur in sports arenas and private residences. While AED coverage and community awareness have improved in sports venues, he emphasizes that “addressing the situation in private homes remains challenging, especially since over 50% of victims are elderly individuals aged 60 and older.”
To tackle this, the Penang state government has mandated that all new housing projects and buildings install AED devices. In October 2023, the Penang CPR Committee was formed, bringing together stakeholders from the government, public and private sectors, as well as NGOs, to oversee AED planning and distribution.
YB Daniel Gooi Zi Sen
Penang Sate EXCO for Youth, Sports and Health
To ensure a safer and healthier community. The state government has always put this priority in ensuring adequate amounts of AED devices being spread across the entire state. More importantly, we are looking into guidelines as well as training programs to ensure our community can make full use of these AED devices, especially in emergency times. It is important for us to work together with the private sector, as well as all the NGOs.
“The top priority is accessibility—ensuring the public knows where to find AEDs,” Prof. Dr. Lee explains. “The second priority is the ability to use them,” which requires ongoing education and training. Regular CPR and AED training sessions are essential to prepare the public for emergencies and should be accessible to all age groups.
Familiarity with AEDs, particularly through hands-on experience, reduces anxiety about using them. As Augustine shared, “AEDs are very easy to use. They automatically analyze the patient's heart rhythm and provide clear voice commands on when and how to deliver a shock. They also emit a beep to guide the appropriate rate of CPR.”
"If the public is well-trained in CPR and familiar with AED use, they are more likely to step in during emergencies to provide immediate care. Early CPR and defibrillation before emergency services arrive are critical—that's why we need everyone to become a potential first responder," said Dr. Naeem.
Dato' Dr. Luah Lean Wah
Consultant Anaesthetist, Founder of Penang Heart Safe Program
President
of Malaysia Resuscitation Association & Penang Heart Safe
Society
In summary, I need everybody to understand that anybody can save a life. Not necessarily your doctor or your paramedic. Start resuscitation as early as possible, that's how we can improve our SCA survival.
Dato' Prof Dr. Lee Toong Chow
Principal Investigator of Clinical Research Centre
Community First Responder & CPR Activist
For the general public to be informed with real experience and sharing, this is also important for entrust them that AED can truly save lives. Thank you all for sharing those success stories.
Reference:
[1] Elumalai, G., Mamat, S., Ponnusamy, V., Aman, M. S., & Arisah, F. M. (2022). The Sports Participation Trend among Malaysians by Gender, Ethnic and Age Group. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 11(1).
[2] Ong, M. E. H., Do Shin, S., De Souza, N. N. A., Tanaka, H., Nishiuchi, T., Song, K. J., ... & Ma, M. H. M. (2015). Outcomes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests across 7 countries in Asia: The Pan Asian Resuscitation Outcomes Study (PAROS). Resuscitation, 96, 100-108.
