Recently, affected by Typhoon Liqima, Linhai City, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, was seriously flooded, and the whole city was flooded. At 8 p.m. on August 10, the average water level in some parts of the coastal area had reached 1.5 meters, and many bungalows in the old city were flooded. Among the many civilian and official rescue workers, there is a special figure. Xu Yaping, a former world kayak champion, led a 5-person rescue team to spontaneously rush to Linhai to participate in the rescue work, and successfully rescued more than 20 victims.
Xu Yaping is a former kayaker in the national team, winning the women's kayaking championship at the 100 games in 2005 and winning several world-class awards. Currently, she teaches in the Department of Public Physical Education and Arts at Zhejiang University. In the early morning of August 12, she sighed on her personal Weibo, "I was afraid of electricity to the switch plug, even snakes, earthworms, yellow eels did not dare to look at such a person, and even participated in the water rescue work smoothly with my friends." ”
On August 13, Nandu reporters contacted Xu Yaping to review her temporary rescue activities. Talking about the rescue, Xu Yaping said: "The game, this time can not win the championship, next time come again." Rescue is only once, and you must do your best. ”
Nandu: How many people are in the rescue squad?
Xu Yaping: The rescue team was formed temporarily, in addition to me, there were 3 retired soldiers and 1 doctor, and we all didn't know each other before. On August 10, I saw the news that Linhai City was seriously affected. In several civilian rescue groups, 5 of us contacted each other and then decided to temporarily team up to go to the seaside rescue. We all went at our own expense, and the doctor couldn't swim yet. Everyone is gathered together because they care about the disaster and want to do something.
In fact, I also secretly went there. When I left on the night of the 10th, my husband was still sleeping at home. When I first gave interviews to local media, I also asked reporters to anonymize them. However, my husband knew my temper, and he didn't blame me when he learned about it.
Nandu: Did you bring your own rescue equipment?
Xu Yaping: Originally, equipment like kayaks and oars was meant to come with it. Also, I have a lot of life jackets, rowing gear, and so on. However, because of the temporary coordination of car transportation, it was too late at that time. Fortunately, after watching the news, it was said that the tools of stormtrooper boats and kayaks were gradually reinforcing the sea, but there was a lack of people who knew how to operate and could drive. So on the night of the 10th, we went with some very simple temporary equipment. At that time, I thought that I would help as many people as I could help when I went first, and then I would talk about it after I got there.
Nandu: How is the rescue situation? How long did it last?
Xu Yaping: We set off from Hangzhou at 9 p.m. on August 10, arrived at Linhai at about 1 a.m. on the 11th, and then began to save people. At that time, there were many rescue workers from all sides of the scene, and our idea was to do whatever we found. Also, during the rescue, our 5-person squad will be regrouped, and my team members may also be assigned to do something else. Five people aren't always together.
By the afternoon of the 11th, the water level in Linhai City had almost receded, and there was no need for so many of us. Moreover, the traffic congestion at that time, if more people stayed, may make it difficult to do some follow-up work. Therefore, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, our squad was evacuated from the sea.
Nandu: Was the rescue process hard?
Xu Yaping: Because our squad did not have a boat with it, we often cooperated with other rescue teams. These boats are all organizations, various rescue teams, and they have to use themselves. The rescue work is more tiring, and many rescuers have a very bad face and stay up late to make their lips purple. I said that I wanted to change my job with them, but they saw that I was a woman, and they may not be very reassured, and they don't believe that I will drive. Then I told the doctor on my team who I was, and they knew I could do these things.
There were really no women seen at the rescue site, almost all of them were men. So, let alone get women to do something hard. Moreover, the situation on the site is complex, and driving a boat requires experience. For example, the water flow is deep and shallow, and the shallow place cannot be driven by the storm boat. Deep places, there are also door panels, plastic bags and other debris, hit or entangled in the hanging machine, there is no way to go forward. At this time, we get off the boat, soak in the water, and push ourselves forward. During the rescue, I didn't get on the boat, I did some other work.
Nandu: Did you encounter any danger during the rescue process?
Xu Yaping: Our squad did not encounter any special dangers, but there were always dangers. On the one hand, the water flow is very fast, and on the other hand, the water is also very dirty. All the mess you can imagine in the city may float on the water. During the whole rescue process, I did not suffer any special injuries, but I was scratched with a few small wounds on my feet. In addition, after soaking in water for a long time, the body is a little allergic and itchy. Everything else was ok.
Nandu: You said on Weibo that you are afraid of electricity, and you are also afraid of small animals such as snakes and yellow eels. Did you encounter any of these "headaches" during the flood?
Xu Yaping: I think I'm lucky not to be hurt by these things. And a lot of people ask me this. Since I am afraid how to go back. In fact, as an athlete, the most the coach said to me at that time was "the more afraid of something, the more you want to go up", which is the best way to break through yourself. Therefore, being afraid of my own heart as a natural person, not being afraid is my instinct as a sports person.
Nandu: You've won the World Kayak Championship, how is the feeling of actual rescue and racing different?
Xu Yaping: The competition, this time can not win the championship, next time come again. Rescue is only once, and you must do your best. Rescue and race, the same thing is that in order to achieve a clear goal to pay a considerable amount of physical strength, the difference is that the game has only one champion, but rescue, everyone can become their own champion.
Written by: Nandu reporter Mao Shujie