- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
August 2011 Moms
MrsCase1
member
PSA
MrsCase1
member
OK, this is a legit PSA/reminder, and not related to a sale.
On Sunday DH and I were in a restaurant after church eating lunch with Lincoln. Lincoln began to act strange and suddenly DH says, "He's chocking!"
I immediately unbuckled him from the highchair and began chocking procedures. Praise God, it was a "mild" choke and not an "Ohmigawdhe'sturningbluecall911" choke.
What is the PSA part, you're wondering?
Not one single person stopped to offer us help, inquire what was going on, etc. This includes the restaurant staff, most of whom spoke English as a second language and may not have been much help even if they wanted to be. My point is, nobody wanted to get involved.
I teach safety and CPR and DH is trained as well so we were able to handle this minor choke on our own. Prior to becoming certified to teach, DH and I took a basic class in anticipation of Lincoln's birth and I remember vividly the instructor saying "It is not if your child will choke, it is when."
So, if you're rusty or feel nervous you may have forgotten what to do, please re-take a class. They are usually extremely affordable. If you simply don't have the time or money, YouTube a video on what to do (preferably one filmed after 2010 as procedures do change.) If you live somewhere rural like myself, the precious minutes you have to wait for emergency response can be critical. Heck, even if you live in a huge city like LA, your ambulance could be battling traffic. Point is, you need to be able to do whatever you can yourself!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: PSA
The same thing happened to us once. I was experimenting with giving DD2 bread. I give her chunks that are big enough for her to hold and bite, which usually goes over well because she is able to bite off chunks that she can handle. But she got just a bit too much - some extra bread tore off when she bit, and she started to choke on it when she tried to swallow.
Nobody helped, nobody even stopped. Some people may have stared, but if we hadn't known what to do it could have been so much worse. As it was, the back-pounding method worked just like it should have and the bread came flying out after a thump or two. But seriously, it's worth it to know what to do in that situation because people usually won't step up to help you. I guess they're either too unsure of themselves, not paying attention, or they figure the caregivers have got it handled.
// I love you too. //
Thanks for the PSA - I have been meaning to do a CPR course forever but keep putting it off. I think this should be my resolution for 2013.
I'm glad you were able to react quickly and that Lincoln is safe
She choked on string cheese a few months ago. Badly. As in turning blue and gasping for air. If I had not known what to do, my kiddo could have been seriously hurt.
Wow, this thread makes me want to cry. How scary and horrible. SO glad it turned out okay for everyone that has had a choking experience.
Thanks for the reminder Mrs. Case.
I'm glad he was okay and that you guys knew what to do! I need to go touch up on my skills, I haven't had a CPR class since 2008!
I agree that it's important to be able to do it yourself and not depend on someone else. My brother, sister and daddy are all medical professionals. When we're in a restaurant and someone begins coughing they always make it a point to tell us that they would not intervene if someone was in fact choking. There is too much liability and they are not legally protected unless on duty. I'm sure if things escalated to a certain point they would do something but it just isn't safe. Sometimes when I'm alone with Lj and nanny baby I wonder "what if..." And freak myself out! I just pray that if and when it happens I'm able to handle the situation!
Olivia June BFP 12/26/10 EDD 09/01/11 Birthday 08/02/11
BFP 12/25/12 EDD 09/06/13 M/C, 01/02/13
BFP 01/28/13 EDD 10/08/13 STICK BABY!
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12
I can't speak for medical pros because I don't know anything about their liability, but for regular people living in the US, every single state has a version of the Good Samaritan law for this exact purpose. The Good Samaritan law provides protections for people who try to administer aid in emergencies. Even if I did not render the actual aid, I would still ask if someone wanted me to call 911, try to be a kind voice, etc. but nowadays that seems to be a rarity, not the norm.