Recently, the Pingguoyuan Emergency Station of the Shijingshan Branch of Beijing 120 received an emergency dispatch: a 50-year-old male driver had suddenly lost consciousness while driving on a road. His condition was extremely critical, and he was in urgent need of emergency medical assistance.
Upon receiving the dispatch, the emergency medical team led by Dr. Wang Kun immediately sprang into action and rushed to the scene. While en route, Dr. Wang immediately contacted the patient's family by phone to obtain information about his condition. The family reported that the patient was unconscious but still breathing. Dr. Wang patiently instructed them not to move the patient unnecessarily, to promptly clear any vomit from the mouth and nose, keep the airway open, and prevent choking. Meanwhile, the nurse on board quickly prepared the necessary emergency equipment according to the patient's condition. The team arrived at the scene in just three minutes.
The patient was found slumped in the driver's seat, pale and unresponsive. The emergency personnel immediately performed a rapid assessment: they tapped both of his shoulders and called out loudly, but he showed no response, indicating complete loss of consciousness. They quickly observed his chest for movement and found no effective spontaneous breathing, only weak agonal gasps. They checked his carotid pulse but detected no effective pulsation. The team promptly determined that the patient was in cardiac arrest and immediately initiated advanced life support (ALS).
The confined space inside the vehicle severely restricted their movement and made resuscitation more difficult, but the team was undeterred. Working in perfect coordination, they rapidly and carefully transferred the patient onto the stretcher while immediately initiating continuous chest compressions and connecting him to an ECG monitor. Once the patient was transferred to the ambulance, the monitor accurately identified a life-threatening arrhythmia—ventricular fibrillation (VF). The emergency personnel immediately performed defibrillation, while simultaneously providing oxygen, establishing intravenous access, and carrying out other standardized prehospital emergency interventions.
To make the most of the “golden four minutes” following cardiac arrest and maximize the chances of reversing the patient's critical condition, the emergency team continued coordinated resuscitation throughout the ambulance ride. They also contacted the emergency department of a nearby hospital in advance, arranged a emergency green channel, and alerted the in-hospital resuscitation team to be fully prepared and standing by. These measures ensured a seamless transition from prehospital to in-hospital care.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the prehospital team and the hospital emergency team carried out a highly efficient handover, with no interruption in the resuscitation process. The prehospital and in-hospital medical teams worked side by side, continuing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), performing multiple rounds of electrical defibrillation, providing ventilator-assisted breathing, placing a central venous line, supporting circulation, and implementing a series of advanced resuscitation measures. Every procedure was carried out in an orderly and precise manner. After sustained, intensive efforts by the entire medical team, the patient regained spontaneous breathing and a stable heart rhythm, and his vital signs gradually stabilized.
The successful resuscitation of this cardiac arrest patient demonstrates not only the emergency team's ability to respond rapidly and perform standardized resuscitation, but also the strength of a mature system that enables seamless coordination between prehospital and in-hospital emergency care. Frontline emergency personnel confront complex environments and intense workloads, yet consistently respond to every emergency call with standardized procedures and safeguard every chance of survival with professional judgment. Their actions demonstrate that emergency care is not a one-person battle, but the coordinated effort of many people, one chain, and one integrated network. The tighter the network, the stronger the line of defense for every life.
Beijing 120 Health Tip
Hot and humid weather can increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular emergencies. Knowing how to quickly recognize cardiac arrest and perform basic first aid can save a life at a critical moment. After ensuring that the scene is safe, members of the public can assess whether a collapsed person is conscious by gently tapping both shoulders and calling out loudly to both ears. If there is no response, call 120 immediately. Then, within 5–10 seconds, check whether the person's chest is rising and falling and whether they are breathing normally. If there is no normal breathing or only occasional gasping (agonal breathing), start CPR immediately and ask someone nearby to retrieve an AED (automated external defibrillator). Every second counts when it comes to giving a person in cardiac arrest the best possible chance of survival.