On April 20th, at the Newton City-based Boston Overseas Education Center, people gathered to practice emergency medical procedures by wrapping bandages and applying tourniquets. This activity was part of an emergency medical seminar.
The Boston Overseas Chinese Assistance Association, the Berkeley Taiwan Business Association, the New England Greater Boston Taiwan Business Association, the Boston Taiwan World Health Organization Promotion Association, and the Overseas Education Center collaborated to organize this seminar.
After learning and practicing first aid knowledge, participants witnessed the changing of leadership at the Overseas Chinese Assistance Association, with Lily Lin taking over as president.
More than 30 attendees participated in a first aid seminar and practical session, with Yao Ying-lun and Ding Xin-ge, both certified American first aid workers currently serving at the New England Chinese Elderly Association, as the main speakers.
The two speakers explained methods of bandaging for emergency situations such as neck bleeding, body bleeding, dislocations, and fractures. They also introduced common first aid tools like regular bandages, triangular bandages, Israeli bandages, tourniquets, splints, and more.
“Blood is like the life fuel of our bodies,” Yao Ying-lun said.
When discussing neck bleeding, the speakers emphasized the importance of having the injured person apply pressure to the wound with their hands before wrapping a bandage around the arm. It is crucial not to completely wrap the neck with a bandage to prevent suffocation.
Regarding thigh artery bleeding that requires the use of a tourniquet, the speakers mentioned that muscles can remain active for up to an hour in a state of oxygen deprivation, ensuring that rescue will arrive within that time frame. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the tourniquet leading to tissue damage.
Yao Ying-lun and Ding Xin-ge not only explained the theories but also demonstrated various bandaging methods in person, guiding the audience in practice. Their humorous and engaging explanations encouraged the audience to try their hand at first aid techniques, creating a lively atmosphere with continuous laughter. Brookline Town Councilor Wang Li-yuan also attended the seminar with his family and expressed his admiration.
Following the seminar, the first president of the Overseas Chinese Assistance Association, Wang Zhiwei, and the second president, Ouyang Lu, presented certificates of appreciation to the two main speakers.
On the same day, the Boston Overseas Chinese Assistance Association held a leadership transition meeting, with Lily Lin taking over from Weng Yihong as president.
“We want all the social organizations near Boston to know about our Overseas Chinese Assistance Association and our mission. We can host more activities to bring everyone together,” said Lily Lin. She expressed hope in connecting with people from different sectors and making every effort to assist Taiwanese overseas compatriots and students encountering emergencies.
Pan Zhaorong, the director of the Boston Overseas Education Center, thanked both the outgoing and incoming presidents of the Overseas Chinese Assistance Association, as well as the seminar guests and attendees for their support.
“The Overseas Chinese Assistance Association does not require members, as long as you are willing to lend a hand in a sudden event, willing to help, you are welcome,” he said.
Pan Zhaorong also introduced the “iChinese Card” designed by the Overseas Community Affairs Council for overseas compatriots, which is an electronic version of the compatriot card. He welcomed overseas compatriots to register online and enjoy various compatriot benefits.
Guests who attended activities at the Overseas Education Center on Saturday included Boston overseas affairs commissioner Guo Jingru, overseas affairs advisory commissioner Jiang Zongren, Berkeley Taiwan Business Association president Chen Yiru, World Health Organization Promotion Association co-president Li Mengjie, New England Chinese Professional Association president Lu Yanjun, and many others.