Red Cross steps up first aid training

With wider dissemination of automated external defibrillators at public venues in China, Red Cross officials on Thursday have called for stepping up AED and first-aid training to ensure they can be used effectively when a medical emergency arises.

Sun Shuopeng, vice-president of the Red Cross Society of China, said public awareness of using AEDs to save the life of someone having a heart attack is growing steadily, and the society is cooperating with government departments to set up more AEDs in public places.

"But equipment cannot replace a human helping hand. Not only do we need medical emergency devices like AEDs, but also more first responders capable of using them," he said during a news conference held ahead of the 74th World Red Cross Day, which falls on Sunday.