Something we all need to know

During my nearly 30 year chemical plant career and for my Coast Guard Captains credential, I had to take safety and first aid training. The Heimlich maneuver was a part of that. Thankfully I’ve never had to use it until yesterday.

Vicki called me while I was working on my boat to say she was bringing fried chicken home for lunch. I was in the middle of something when she called to say she was home and starting to eat. I stopped what I was doing and came inside the house just in time to see her choking on a bite of chicken! She mouthed “I can breath!”

She stood up and her legs buckled. I grabbed her and got behind her to do the Heimlich. My first thrust was high, at the bottom of her ribs. I repositioned my hands and on the 2nd thrust, out popped the piece of chicken.

She sat down for several minutes to get her breath and composure. She said she had been seeing star, just about to pass out. Soon she was calmed down enough to finish her lunch but each bite was very deliberately chewed.

This morning I asked her how she felt. She said her ribs hurt. I told her to consider the alternative!

I sure am glad I knew what to do and my replaced right shoulder was strong enough to do it.

I encourage everyone to learn how to do it. Better yet, take a Red Cross First Aid course.


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Of course she was saying “I CAN’T breath!”


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Choking is a very scary experience. Good thing you walked in when you did.

Wow! Thanks heavens you were home and she called you before starting her lunch!
Bob

Doug sure glad you went inside when you did and were able to use your training to dislodge the meat from here throat

Most if not all us veterans learned first aid (sometimes even more). It is always good to know. And even if you only need it the one time it is a good thing. I am happy for the good outcome. :ThumbsUp

That could have been worse. Good thing you were there and knew what to do. I have thought about taking a first aid course since I’ve had my daughters but haven’t. I do know a few basic things and think I could do Heimlich maneuver if needed. Maybe I should think about classes again.

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Originally Posted by SuperDave336

That could have been worse. Good thing you were there and knew what to do. I have thought about taking a first aid course since I’ve had my daughters but haven’t. I do know a few basic things and think I could do Heimlich maneuver if needed. Maybe I should think about classes again.

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It really is a good idea. I have been trained through work. I have used it a time of 2. If nothing else it will help you remain a little calmer during an emergency

Very glad it worked out for you guys! I've had CPR but today it's just chest compressions and I bet most, if they really tried could do the Heimlich if they had do. Stay clam and remember what you've seen and heard.

Always dial 911 first just in case so they're on the way! If you wait it could be too late to dial.

Good advice! Glad things turned out the way they did and that you were home.

Very glad you were there for her. I had first responders training. One thing that’s often overlooked is self rescue for a choking victim.

Glad everything worked out for the good! I was eating a brat one time and started choking, I tapped a friend sitting next to me and gave him the choking sign and he started hitting me on the back and I waved him off and put my fists to my gut and he grabbed me from behind and it popped right out! I was very Lucky that day! I need to give him a call! Haven’t talked to him in about a year!

Like said above it is a good course to take. Doug I probably had the same course and trainers as you. I'm a Lubrizol (the old BF Goodrich plant) retiree. I think someone else mentioned, how to do the Heimlich maneuver on themselves. Google it nothing too hard and could save you if you're alone and choking.

Just thankful you were able to get it out and she could breathe again. I have heard of people getting their ribs broke during Heimlich maneuver.

Well done sir. Learning first aid is one of the most important things anyone can invest their time in. I have had multiple courses over my entire life... and most importantly, having the knowledge has come in handy on at least a half dozen occasions when I was able to help someone who was in dire straits... and always when I least expected such a surprise. A great and well worthwhile thread topic: One that I hope gets lots of attention, or gets lots of people thinking of its importance should they face a situation such as you did.

Scary situation. Glad that you were there and that everything worked out.

Great job! I had to do that to a young fella at church one night. He was choking on a Jolly Rancher and had to give him a squeeze.


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Very scary situation. Glad she is okay and you came in when you did.

thank goodness you found her in time and dislodged it , I performed that same thing on my mother one fine day in a food establishment, she somehow got a large pc of her salad stuck in there and it was frightening to all of us .
forgot about it until i read this post , it was nearly 25 years ago though and it brought the memory back in a blink ,by the time management reacted to the situation and asked if we needed an ambulance it would have been far to late .

I had a very sad event happen Dec 11 21. My wife walked into the living room and said I can't breath, she sat down in her chair I called 911 got them on the way. My wife passed out no pulse or breath. I did CPR got a pulse and breathing back before ambulance got there,they took over and had to do CPR in the ambulance. She never regained concseiounes and passed on Dec 12. I tell this to encourage everyone to take classes for CPR you never know when you need it. God knows I do miss her so much Sorry to hijack this thread but I had to speak out. Please take the training for CPR.

years ago I was mowing the yard at my parents house , I was in my twenties and stopped by to work on my dune buggy with my dad .
and sometimes I got to do a few chores when I visited for some strange reason ?
A neighbor lady came running out of her house screaming at the top of her lungs "HE IS HAVING A HEART ATTACK" as I was mowing .
Dad and I ran over there and found him on the floor in the living room blue and unresponsive , we took turns doing CPR on him until the ambulance got there and got him stable ,they said this about that ,you guys just saved his life !
He came home and lived a few more years before he had another one and this last post reminded me of that event, you might very well prolong another's life if you know what to do when and how .