On a morning recently, the Song Ci team from the Western Emergency Center received a dispatch order. An 80-year-old man in a community had choked on a steamed bun during breakfast. The patient was unresponsive and had stopped breathing. The Song Ci team immediately rushed to the scene.

Upon arrival, the team found the patient half-lying on the bed, exhibiting pale skin, no breathing, dilated pupils, absence of a light reflex, and no carotid artery pulsation. Nurse Cao Xuchen promptly initiated chest compressions following the doctor’s instructions. Using a laryngoscope, Dr. Song Ci assessed the patient’s airway and discovered it was obstructed by paste-like food. He urgently attempted to remove the blockage using hemostatic forceps. However, the forceps were unable to clear all the paste. Dr. Song then used a suction pump, but the residual food continued to block both the esophagus and tracheal opening, rendering the trachea invisible through the laryngoscope. Blind tracheal intubation was also unsuccessful. The team proceeded to use a mask to deliver high-flow oxygen, while an emergency assistant continued cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Nurse Cao successfully established an intravenous line and administered medication as instructed by the doctor. As the team worked methodically, the ECG monitor displayed a return to sinus rhythm. Dr. Song reexamined the patient and confirmed that sinus rhythm had been restored and carotid artery pulsation was palpable. He immediately contacted the dispatch and command center to activate a green channel and ensured the patient was safely transported to the ambulance for transfer to the nearest capable hospital.  

During the transportation, the team closely monitored the patient’s condition. The patient experienced multiple cardiac arrests but was resuscitated each time with intravenous drug administration. Sinus rhythm was restored and maintained. Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient was handed over for further emergency care. A follow-up call from the crew later confirmed that the patient had regained autonomous heart rhythm, and his vital signs were stable.  

Here are some emergency tips from 120. Elderly people are particularly prone to airway obstruction when eating hard, slippery, or large pieces of food due to the degeneration of laryngeal tissue. For those wearing full dentures long-term to aid chewing, it is essential to wear them during meals to maintain proper chewing and swallowing functions, reducing the risk of choking. If airway obstruction occurs, perform the Heimlich maneuver immediately. If the patient loses consciousness, initiate CPR without delay. In any emergency, it is necessary to call 120 promptly to secure critical rescue time and save lives.