Medical workers from an emergency center in Qingdao, Shandong province, transfer a patient during a drill on May 30. ZHANG JINGANG/FOR CHINA DAILY

Xia unlocked a public bicycle and dashed to the scene. "I immediately showed the emergency medics on site that I was a certified volunteer and we performed CPR on the patient — a 70-year-old man," he said. "I was very nervous, constantly asking myself whether or not my hand was in the right position and if the compressions were being carried out at the right rhythm. Thankfully, the man quickly started breathing again."

In July 2020, Xia helped someone who had accidentally touched a high-tension line and stopped breathing.

"However, in 2021 I was unable to save the life of a senior who collapsed from a heart attack — his family members thought he had heatstroke and did not call the emergency services in time. When I arrived at his home and began carrying out CPR, it was too late," he said.

The incident prompted Xia to study to become a trainer that year to help raise the number of people capable of performing CPR and other first-aid skills.

"As a tutor, I often show common incorrect CPR techniques to my students in an exaggerated way to make the training sessions more interesting and help them remember the right method," he said.

Next step 

Zeng Tao, an official at the Red Cross branch in Hangzhou's Xihu district, said that there are currently about 400 first-aid trainers like Xia in the district.

"The next step is to further improve their teaching capability," he said. "Meanwhile, as the 19th Asian Games approaches, it is also important to consolidate information about first-aid materials, such as AEDs, across the district to better manage and use them if an emergency occurs."

Zeng said the district saw more than 12,000 people undertake first-aid training last year, up from 2,000 to 3,000 several years ago.

"I think increased awareness campaigns and the use of online registration systems for training sessions have helped lead to the rise," he said.

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