At 20:55 on June 22, 2025, the Dispatch and Command Center of Beijing Emergency Medical Center received a call reporting a medical emergency: a 61-year-old man had suddenly collapsed in a park. A nearby citizen dialed 120 for help. Dispatcher Fei Yue accepted the call and completed the intake in just 27 seconds, quickly dispatching the nearest ambulance to the scene.
While calming the patient’s family, Fei Yue assessed the situation and determined the patient was unconscious and not breathing—a critical condition. He immediately activated the Advanced Dispatcher Life Support (ADLS) system to provide real-time medical guidance over the phone. His first question was whether there was an AED in the park. He instructed those on site to search for the device, and at the same time, guided the family to begin chest compressions: “Lay the patient flat on the ground with the head turned to one side. Place the heel of one hand on the breastbone—right in the center between the nipples. Place your other hand on top of the first and begin pressing firmly and quickly. Push down at least 5 centimeters, at a rate of at least two compressions per second. Make sure the chest fully recoils between compressions. Ready? Start: 1, 2, 3, 4... 1, 2, 3, 4...” After completing 30 compressions, he instructed the family to deliver 2 rescue breaths.
Throughout the call, Fei Yue continuously monitored the ambulance's real-time location while encouraging the family to keep performing CPR until medical personnel arrived. Upon arrival, the emergency crew took over and quickly initiated advanced life support measures, including defibrillation and IV access. Meanwhile, the dispatch center coordinated a green channel with a nearby hospital and sent the patient to the hospital for further treatment.
Follow-up revealed that the patient had a history of coronary heart disease and hypertension for over 20 years and had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery in 2021. Thanks to the timely and coordinated rescue efforts, the patient successfully regained both breathing and heartbeat. Notably, many bystanders at the scene actively participated in the emergency response under the dispatcher’s guidance. Their quick initiation of CPR was the key to the successful rescue.
Beijing 120 reminds all citizens: In hot, humid weather with low atmospheric pressure, people with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular conditions should limit strenuous outdoor activities. If symptoms arise suddenly, call 120 immediately and follow the dispatcher’s medical instructions to win more rescure time for patients. Learning and practicing basic first aid can make a critical difference—responding scientifically and effectively in emergencies should become a new norm in a civilized society, helping buy precious time to save lives.