Recently, Beijing 120 received an emergency call from a resident: “My mother… she suddenly collapsed!” An ambulance team from the Gantang Emergency Station of the Tongzhou Sub-Center responded immediately and rushed to the scene.
Upon arrival, the team found a 79-year-old female patient lying on a sofa, pale in complexion with cyanotic lips. Although she had regained consciousness, she was too weak to even lift her arms. “About fifteen minutes earlier, she suddenly fell down and wouldn’t respond no matter how we called her,” a family member said with a trembling voice. “I panicked and sprayed nitroglycerin three times, but instead she felt even worse—her hands and feet turned cold.”
Emergency physician Wang Qiao quickly bent down to assess the patient. Her blood pressure was 78/45 mmHg, and her heart rate was 58 beats per minute. “Nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator. Using it blindly can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure and worsen shock,” Dr. Wang explained. After rapidly evaluating the patient’s condition, she issued immediate medical orders. Nurse Shan Qianqian worked in close coordination, completing disinfection, venipuncture, and fixation in one smooth sequence, swiftly establishing intravenous access. Life-saving medication began to drip into the patient’s critically compromised circulatory system.
“Ma’am, can you hear me? Breathe slowly. We’re right here with you,” Dr. Wang gently reassured the patient, keeping her eyes fixed on the monitor while carefully recording every subtle change in vital signs. Seeing her mother’s lip color gradually return to normal, the family member said remorsefully, “It’s my fault for using the medication incorrectly…” The emergency staff responded kindly, “We understand your urgency to help. But medications like nitroglycerin must be used strictly under medical guidance.”
As the infusion continued, a repeat blood pressure measurement showed improvement to 101/52 mmHg, and the patient’s breathing became increasingly stable. “Prepare for transport,” the team instructed. Working seamlessly together, the crew transferred the patient onto a stretcher and carefully wrapped her in a thermal blanket. During transport to the hospital, the patient’s monitored vital signs remained stable.
With the driver Wang Hang maintaining a steady yet swift pace, the ambulance arrived safely at the hospital. The emergency team completed a thorough clinical handover with hospital staff. Grasping the hands of the emergency responders, the patient’s family member said emotionally, “Thank you… You didn’t just save my mother—you taught me a crucial lesson.”
This life-saving response on a cold winter night reflects the professionalism and responsibility of pre-hospital emergency medical workers and serves as a vivid public lesson in emergency care. At moments of life and death, calm judgment and scientific decision-making are the most reliable shields for protecting life. Greater respect for and understanding of emergency medical knowledge can significantly reduce the risks caused by untrained intervention.
Beijing 120 reminds the public: when acute conditions such as cardiovascular or cerebrovascular emergencies and shock occur, the optimal rescue window often ranges from minutes to a few hours after onset. Calling 120 promptly and providing first aid under professional guidance is the safest and most effective way to protect the lives of your loved ones.