Recently, the Dahuashan Emergency Station of the Pinggu Sub-Center of Beijing 120 Emergency Center received a dispatch: a 67-year-old man in a rural village had suddenly experienced numbness on the right side of his body, difficulty moving, and slurred speech while working in the mountains. He collapsed and required immediate medical attention. The ambulance crew set out swiftly after receiving the dispatch—thus began a race against time in pre-hospital emergency care.
On the way, the crew called the patient’s family to gather more details and provided real-time guidance for on-site first aid:
1. Stay calm: Comfort the patient and help him lie on his side or turn his head to one side, clearing any obstructions from his mouth and nose to prevent choking or suffocation.
2. Avoid movement: Prevent the patient from moving to avoid secondary injuries due to stroke.
3. Maintain contact: Keep the phone line open and provide real-time updates if the condition changes, enabling medical staff to adjust guidance accordingly.
Due to the rugged mountain terrain, the ambulance could not reach the location directly. Emergency personnel carried medical equipment and ran to the patient. Meanwhile, over ten villagers spontaneously formed a stretcher team, crafting a makeshift stretcher from wooden boards. Using a tractor, they transported the patient down the mountain. The emergency team advised them to keep the patient's body stable, with his head slightly elevated and turned to the side, to continuously monitor his breathing and consciousness, keep him warm by wrapping him in clothes to prevent hypothermia from worsening the condition, and to avoid feeding him food or drink to prevent aspiration. Calming the patient was also important to reduce oxygen demand.
After a difficult 20-minute transfer, the patient was safely brought downhill. The emergency crew took over and rushed him to the hospital, having already contacted the hospital in advance to activate a green channel for expedited treatment. During transport, the crew closely monitored the patient’s vital signs and provided low-flow oxygen and IV access, buying valuable time for in-hospital care. Upon arrival, the team quickly handed the patient over to the emergency department. Only after a full handover did they leave the hospital.
Later follow-up revealed that the patient had been diagnosed with a cerebral hemorrhage. Thanks to timely intervention and active treatment, he has passed the critical phase and is now undergoing rehabilitation. Pre-hospital emergency care is a constant race against time and a battle against death. Every rescue reflects profound respect for life, and the emergency crew's actions are a living testament to their oath: “Bound by health, entrusted with lives.”