Lim Meng Jin, 31, checking his AED and other equipment before he heads out by scooter to standby in case of an emergency at his house in Paya Terubong, Penang. (May 20,2024) —ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: With an automated external defibrillator (AED), a portable patient monitor and a small oxygen tank in his backpack, Lim Meng Jin is a hero on a motorcycle who has saved over 60 people.
An ambulance driver by profession, Lim took it upon himself to be a voluntary first responder on motorcycle when he is off-duty.
In Paya Terubong and Air Itam, he has earned the nickname “Jiu Ming Ge”, which means life-saving brother in Mandarin.
The 31-year-old Lim responds to five or six emergencies a week when he is off-duty.
“I just want to help people. It has always been my goal in life.
“I help animals too, and have jumped into drains to rescue them,” he said when met at his home in Paya Terubong.
Dressed in orange overalls, Lim rushes to the scene on one of his two motorcycles – a scrambler bike when he needs to race up hilly trails, and a scooter for riding in the streets.
He has spent over RM40,000 to equip himself with medical devices for first aid, and his latest acquisition is a portable medical suction machine costing RM450.
“I bought an AED five years ago for RM8,800, paying for it in installments,” he said. “It has helped me save many lives.”
Lim does not earn much, but as he has no plans for holidays or recreational pursuits, he has dedicated himself to getting first aid equipment.
“I’ve had friends who called me when someone collapsed on hill trails while hiking. The fastest way to reach such victims is with a scrambler,” he said, explaining why he bought the motorcycle.
He has revived hikers who suffered from sudden cardiac arrest, and then waited for the Fire and Rescue Department team to arrive and help bring the victims down.
Lim’s childhood ambition was to become a fireman, but not finishing school shattered this dream.
He worked other jobs, and was a Civil Defence Force member before becoming an ambulance driver.
“I picked up most of my first aid skills there and also when I was a St John’s cadet, and I attended many first aid courses,” he said.
Lim said when an accident happens or someone suffers from suspected sudden cardiac arrest in Paya Terubong and Air Itam, there is a good chance that a community member would call him.
“I work with other first responders like firemen and hospital emergency department personnel who sometimes alert me about accidents in other parts of the city,” he added.
