On July 1, the reporter learned from the Yichang Municipal Medical Emergency Center that the center was undergoing a trial operation of video-based remote medical guidance for first aid. Upon dialing 120, the emergency hotline, the dispatcher at the center will initiate remote guidance through video, according to the actual situation, instructing the caller to perform self-rescue prior to the arrival of the ambulance, with the aim of enhancing the success rate of pre-hospital first aid.

　　In the dispatch hall of the center, the reporter witnessed a swift and efficient response as the dispatcher promptly inquired about the patient’s condition upon receiving a 120 call and dispatched an ambulance. For patients requiring urgent first aid interventions, including hemostatic bandaging, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the Heimlich maneuver, the dispatcher adeptly provided tailored video guidance to the caller, based on the real-time situation, to facilitate self-rescue efforts prior to the ambulance’s arrival.

　　Upon clicking the SMS link, the caller seamlessly transitions into video communication mode. Through this medium, the dispatcher gains immediate visual access to the patient's on-site condition and has the capability to stream instructional videos, such as those demonstrating cardiopulmonary resuscitation, directly to the caller's mobile device. This integrated approach, combining voice-based medical guidance with first-aid procedural videos, empowers the caller to deliver more precise and efficient first aid measures to the patient prior to the ambulance’s arrival.

　　It is commonly understood that the initial 4 to 6 minutes following a sudden onset of critical illness are the crucial “golden hours” for saving a patient’s life. After dialing 120 for emergency assistance, there is a critical window of time before the ambulance arrives. Timely implementation of first-aid measures during this interim period can markedly improve the chances of successful treatment, emphasizing the paramount importance of swift and effective emergency response. (Reporter/Shi Gang, Correspondent/Zheng Yang)