An automated external defibrillator — and school employees trained to use it — saved the life of veteran Kaimuki High School security guard Kawika Chung, whose heart stopped when he suffered a cardiac arrest while he was in Vice Principal Kevin Yuen’s office on Feb. 21.

Chung, who turned 50 only a month before the incident, got the chance to publicly thank his seven co-workers during a ceremony Monday at City Hall, where they were honored by Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the city Department of Emergency Services with the 2013 EMS Lifesaver Award.

"It’s good to be here to see all you folks," said Chung, who fought back tears during the ceremony. "If not for the staff at Kai­muki, I wouldn’t be here today. You gave me a second life."

Recognized were Donna Tajiri, John "JK" Kawaiaea, James Wells, Karen O’Brien, Edward Wells, Solomon Soares and Yuen. Edward Wells and Soares are no longer at the school.

EMS Director Mark Rigg said the incident proved the value of having AEDs at schools, and having staff trained to use the device as well as basic, lifesaving CPR techniques. The group "reacted calmly and proficiently when seconds meant the difference between saving a co-worker’s life and watching him die," Rigg said.

They immediately began CPR, taking turns breathing and conducting chest compressions. They then used the defibrillator to shock Chung’s heart back into action. By the time paramedic Kelly Kihe arrived, Chung was breathing and talking — only 15 minutes after going into cardiac arrest, Rigg said.

Yuen said AEDs were installed near the administrative office and near the athletics area only a year ago. Nat Pada, the school’s athletic trainer, offered instruction.

The school is now looking at purchasing three more AEDs to be placed around campus, and broaden its AED and CPR instruction to include more faculty and staff, and students, he said.

Department of Education spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz said schools do not automatically receive and are not mandated to have AEDs. A bill requiring schools to have AEDs died in the Legislature several years ago due to lack of funding, she said.

"Every school should have one," Chung said. "Don’t be afraid of it. It’s pretty straightforward and it talks to you."

Also recognized by Caldwell was 6-year-old Iwalani Li, who called 911 when she saw her mother experience seizures. The young girl, who was the only person home with her mother at the time, was able to direct emergency responders to the scene, EMS officials said.

The two sets of awards were given as part of the 40th Annual EMS Week that began Monday.