Off‑Duty Nurse Bites Off Nail Art to Save Stranger in a 300‑Second Rescue at Nanjing Station

The emergency unfolded with startling urgency. Li first removed her wedding ring to avoid any snagging, then faced a less obvious obstacle: a set of decorative artificial nails she had been wearing that morning. In the narrow window of a few seconds, she realized the extensions could interfere with the delicate airway work required to stop the bleeding and prevent further injury. With no time to strip them off conventionally, she bit the extensions off, a decision that would later be described in Chinese media as “咬掉穿戴甲300秒极限救人” – literally, “bit off the artificial nails in an extreme 300‑second rescue.”

Within five minutes—300 seconds precisely—Li administered first‑aid measures, applying pressure, clearing the airway and stabilising the passenger’s condition. The man gradually regained consciousness, and the immediate threat to his life evaporated. In the aftermath, Li’s children, who had watched the news footage of their mother’s heroic act, told her, “Mom, you are so great, you are our lifelong pride.” Their sentiment, shared on social media, struck a chord with thousands of netizens who praised the nurse’s self‑less dedication.

The Nanjing Railway Public Security Department has formally contacted Li to commend her swift response, and officials are considering her for a municipal‑level “courageous act” award (见义勇为奖). The story has sparked a wave of commentary about the professionalism and readiness of Chinese health workers, especially those who intervene off‑duty. Observers note that Li’s willingness to sacrifice personal comfort – even to the point of biting off her nail art – exemplifies a core ethic of nursing: the primacy of patient care over all else.

Beyond the immediate drama, the incident has opened a broader conversation about the expectations placed on medical staff in China. It underscores the importance of emergency response training not just within hospitals but also for clinicians who may find themselves in public spaces. The episode also highlights how a single act can elevate public perception of nurses, portraying them as vital first‑responders capable of life‑saving interventions anywhere, at any time. At the same time, it raises subtle questions about the balance between professional duty and personal life, a tension that many health workers navigate daily.

For Chinese society at large, Li’s rescue taps into deep‑rooted values of altruism and communal responsibility. The rapid spread of the story on platforms such as Weibo reflects a national appetite for narratives that celebrate ordinary individuals performing extraordinary deeds. The image of a mother‑nurse, frantically biting off her decorative nails to protect a stranger, has become a spontaneous symbol of heroism, offering a role model for younger generations and reinforcing the notion that public service is a shared civic duty.

Politically, the swift acknowledgement from local authorities signals an official endorsement of such self‑less acts. The prospective award illustrates a willingness to publicly recognise and reward contributions that align with the government’s vision of a “harmonious society,” where citizens actively support each other in moments of crisis. While the story is undeniably a human triumph, its circulation through state‑affiliated media also serves to showcase China’s robust healthcare system and the dedication of its professionals, contributing to a positive international image.

In the end, Li Mengyi’s quick thinking, resourcefulness, and willingness to forgo personal vanity in the name of saving a life have resonated far beyond Nanjing station. Whether framed as “Off‑duty nurse bites off artificial nails for an extreme 300‑second rescue” or simply as a mother’s instinctive drive to help a stranger, the episode reminds us that sometimes a lifesaving act begins with a simple, unexpected gesture – even one as small as biting off a piece of nail art.