Yuchen is a member of LCSSA. She chatted to us about her recent CPR training experience and how it relates to safety during the celebrations.
Q: How confident do you feel now about performing CPR in an emergency?
Yuchen: “We all had a chance to practice CPR on the resuscitation dolls. It was a two-hour session, but it felt like 45 minutes because it was interactive and enjoyable. None of us had done CPR before, so it was a great opportunity to learn life-saving skills.
“I feel more confident now, I will remember the key points like the frequency and tempo of CPR. I feel that I could contribute to saving a life if needed. I’m about 90% confident right now, though I might lose stamina after a minute or two. But I would still be able to help.”
Q: What was the most valuable takeaway for you from the training?
Yuchen: “The confidence it gave us. Even though we’re not medical professionals, we now feel capable of doing something to help in an emergency. The confidence is the most important takeaway – knowing that we can make a difference if something happens.
“This was such a valuable event we’ve joined. It was fresh and enriching. We usually do cultural and sports activities, but this was completely new. Michael was very professional and gave us the confidence we needed. It wasn’t just theory; we got to do it ourselves, which made all the difference.
“Knowing how to do CPR is vital, especially during large events like Chinese New Year. It could save a life, whether it’s a friend, family member, or even a stranger. It’s comforting to know that we’re equipped to help if something happens during the celebrations.”
Q: What did you learn about the ambulance service during the session?
Yuchen: “It was helpful to refresh our knowledge on when to call 999 and 111. Many international students don’t know about this, and the way emergencies are handled in China is different. It’s crucial to pass this information to new students every year.
Q: How will you be celebrating Chinese New Year this year?
Yuchen: “I’ll be celebrating with friends here. We’ll watch the National Spring Festival Gala, which is a big tradition in China. Some of my friends also attend the Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown, Liverpool to experience the atmosphere. Even though I won’t be there, it’s great to know that CPR training has prepared us all more for emergencies.”
You too can learn how to do CPR.