Friday, August 18, 2017

Coughing It Up

The story you are about to read is true, the names have been changed to protect the innocent, in fact the only names used are Cindy's and mine, any involvement with any medical facility or organization is not implied here as I am not involved with any, unless my Doctor calls me for an appointment that is, and then I don’t remember what he tells me anyway, the subject of this post is strictly my opinion and just plain common sense told in story form...Enjoy!

My former Medic First Aid training tells us this about choking:

Choking is usually caused by food or an object stuck in the windpipe.

A person who is choking cannot talk, cough, or breathe, and may turn gray or blue. The Heimlich maneuver can help get the food or object out.

WARNING: Do not try the Heimlich maneuver unless you are sure the person is choking:

And my addition to all of this is that you should remain calm, calm, calm so that you don’t make the person who is choking more agitated than they already are, calm so you can think and take care of this person to the best of your ability, or even so calm that your chicken never gets cold.

Coughing it up

A while back Cindy and I went over to a friends house for supper, the wife whipped up a feast fit for a king, she even topped it off with a homemade German Chocolate cake. This made my blood sugar jump a couple hundred points by just watching her spread the frosting, it was so worth it at the end of the meal though.

She made an Italian Chicken dish, you know the type of meal that is so good no one is talking at the table. We were all sitting around shoveling in the feast when I hear the wife say, “Honey are you OK?” I look up and see he is starting to turn a bit red in the face, “Honey are you OK” I hear a squeak come out of his mouth and he grasps his throat, it appears that the fist full of noodles she added to his plate was not meant to be eaten in one bite.

He’s choking she yells, and another diner at the table immediately panics and begins yelling “Call 911 he’s choking, I think he’s dying, HELP!” maybe it wasn’t that dramatic but I’d say it was close, he’s holding his throat and attempting to cough with only a rumbling squeak coming out, Cindy looks at me and calmly says “Jimmy” she did this between forkfuls as she never stopped eating.

I rush around behind and wrap my arms around him in preparation to do the Heimlich, I ask him if he is OK, he is beginning to cough a bit now, he nods his head and begins a forceful cough that dislodges the food caught in his throat, I am still not sure if he coughed it up all on his own, or if the fact that I was behind him with my arms wrapped around him getting ready to give him a good squeeze had anything to do with it, this guy does have a phobia about Men hugging him from behind.

His wife rushes into the living room and gathers up the person who is readying themselves to wave in the paramedics, I am talking with him making sure he is breathing OK, and Cindy is finishing up her first plate of the fine Italian Chicken dish while eyeballing the German Chocolate cake.

Our choking victim glares at Cindy and says, “Some help you are, with all of your medical training you just looked and slowly said Jimmy but never stopped eating”, Cindy smiled and explained that with all of her medical training she could see that he was not exactly in trouble yet, and she also had witnessed me do the Heimlich more than once, so she was sending proper help his way, she knew remaining calm would be the best thing, and it sure would be a bad thing if she allowed this fine meal to get cold.

Shoulder view of a Nurse placing a stethoscope around her neck

So always remember these points from Cindy and her vast medical knowledge:

If you don’t already have training, learn to do the Heimlich.

Learn when to properly do the Heimlich, as it’s not a good thing to do it too soon.

Remain calm in all emergency situations.

And never allow a good meal to get cold, when it’s not necessary.

44 comments:

  1. It's really scary watching someone choke like that. Choking on food eventually lead to my husband's death...a over a month later. He had ingested food into his lungs, unbeknown to us during a choking episode. Bless you, Jimmy, for knowing how to do the Heimlich and your willingness to do it. Bless Cindy, too, for her coolness and medical knowledge.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jean, I'm sorry to bring up bad memories for you because it is indeed scary when someone chokes, and even worse when it is yourself.

      I originally wrote this about three years ago thinking that a humorous look at a serious situation was a good way to remind us all to brush up on our first aid skills. It's always good to learn the Heimlich and hope you never need to use it, I have used it about four times and it scared me to death each time, but I am glad I knew how to do it. Cindy is very knowledgeable and cool heads always work the best.

      Good to see you Lady

      Delete
  2. One of my husband's uncles chocked to death on a grape, guess no one knew the Heimlich maneuver, or he may have been alone - family is not clear on that. I think he had Huntington's. His mother also had it and swallowing is problematic with that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sharon, It is scary how such a small item can choke someone like that, especially if you are alone at the time, they do teach a maneuver where you can do the Heimlich on yourself over the back of a kitchen chair.

      Delete
  3. Being a retried cop I know how to do this too. You did very well and your best advice is not to panic. I too am glad you were there to take care of this properly.

    Have a fabulous day and weekend. ☺

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Sandee, I believe the first thing anyone should do in any emergency situation is to remain calm, things seem to work much better this way, being a retired cop I am preaching to the choir though ;)

      A great weekend for you too my friend.

      Delete
  4. It is so very easy to choke on something. Good job handling a potentially life threatening situation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Delores, It's amazing how quickly any of us can choke on something, a small taste of food or a bite too large either one can be dangerous. Thank you Delores I appreciate you Lady.

      Delete
  5. Ok since the intense story turned out okay. I'm going to giggle a little at the drama you described. I think I've seen something similar in a movie. Good for Cindy for not getting excited. I'm like her in remaining calm in situations. Sometimes the excitement can make things worst. And I mean, there was German Chocolate cake waiting!
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Lisa, That is the whole key for any situation is to remain calm, and German Chocolate Cake can help you do that ;)

      Delete
  6. Not panicking is a great idea indeed, and good to know it all ended well in the end. Good story and lessons to learn. Greetings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you my friend, I thought this little message a good one to share, we all need to stay up on procedures to help each other out, they have come in handy for me.

      Delete
  7. I think I remember how to do a Heimlich

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Adam, If you learned it I bet you remember it, or will if you ever need to.

      Delete
  8. LOVE Cindy's cool calm attitude. And priorities. Very glad it ended well too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You EC, She knows what to do and when to do it, in this situation her best bet was to sit back and enjoy watching the rest of us, otherwise she would have been right there.

      Delete
  9. I'm glad it all turned out okay.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you John, I am too because it could have just as quickly gone the other direction.

      Delete
  10. I have freaked out others because I have a weird issue with vinegar, which causes me to start choking (even though I haven't swallowed anything). I'm usually recovered by the time they are out of their seats. Cindy would still be seated I guess! Lol!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Bijoux, The vinegar issue I have not seen before but if it causes you to choke it is best to avoid at all costs, I'm glad you recover quickly from it though. I believe as long as you are coughing Cindy would be watching but allow you to work through it, if you stop coughing and turning colors she will most likely say "Jimmy" or jump into action ha ha.

      Delete
  11. Thank goodness there are those in this world who remain calm in emergencies. I learned how to do the Heimlich years ago but have never had to use it thankfully. This reminds me that I should take a refresher course. Cindy knew you would save the day Jimmy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Denise, I'm glad that you have learned the Heimlich and I hope that you never have to use it, but at least you will be ready if you ever need to, it is a good thing to know.

      Delete
  12. Well done. Remaining calm is the key to doing what needs to be done.

    I had to do the baby Heimlich on Genius when he was about 6 months old. I guess that's what you call it. Where you lay the baby face down on your forearm, head lowered, and give the back thumps.

    A fragment of candy orange slice shot out of his mouth. My mom had been letting him suck the sugar off of it, sitting on her knee, and he broke off a piece that lodged in his throat. No sound. Panicky eyes. My mom froze, inhaled a huge breath, and DID NOTHING! When I heard her, I jumped up, grabbed Genius, and did the thumps. Inside I was frantic, but I knew I had to act.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Val, Thank the Good Lord that you knew what to do with Genius, it is so frightening when one of the little ones choke like that, I have had to use that same procedure on several little ones and it really gets your attention each time, but knowing how to remain calm like you did really does save lives.

      Delete
  13. I've taken classes on this, but it's been a while and I should consider taking a refresher class.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Stephen, It's never a bad idea to take a refresher course on the first aid and CPR, it definitely is a blessing when you need it.

      Delete
  14. Cindy is a true professional to be aware of the situation, to keep assessing it, and to enjoy what sounded like a delicious meal! I worry about the wee one (grandson) choking when over here. I may cut his food up to minuscule bites, but thankfully no choking yet (at least on my watch, won't say about an incident that happened when the other grandmother was watching him :) (all was fine in the long run).

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Betty, It pays to take precautions with the little ones like your grandson, and with you cutting his food the way you do I am sure has prevented any choking incidents on your watch anyways. As for the other grandma (the other grandma is always the problem we have noticed here too) I am sure will do better since she apparently had an incident with the wee one.

      Delete
  15. I'm right there with Cindy, eye-balling the German Chocolate Cake.
    Glad the victim was okay and no drastic action was needed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello River, It's awful hard to ignore a good German Chocolate Cake.
      I am glad that it worked out like it did also, it was scary there for a minute.

      Delete
  16. I am full of praise for Cindy. She certainly knows when calmness is required but then so did you, Jimmy. I was on tenterhooks reading this - at first!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good Morning Valerie, Thank you my dear friend, like we have all mentioned, calmness is the key to success in any serious situation, this way you can clearly think what to do.

      Delete
  17. I had to do this once while in the Air Force, and it was super scary. We asked if she could speak and when she shook her head no, and had her hands on her throat, that was our cue. You're right though, it's good to know this maneuver, and it's critical to remain calm. Thank goodness you guys were there. I'm smiling though, and glad that Cindy's food didn't get cold. (lol) Your stories are always so great Jimmy. Love 'em! Happy Saturday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey RO, It is really scary when you have to do the Heimlich, as much for you as it is for the person choking I believe. This is why you have to remain calm as you know from your experience in performing the Heimlich.
      I am happy that you enjoy our stories, and Thank you for your always kind comments.

      Delete
  18. So glad this story had a happy ending. Guess it is better to try the Heimlich when in doubt cause even if they aren't really choking, no harm outside of a few uncomfortable moments. Cindy could remain calm for she knew you would handle it. What a team.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Patti, You are right it is better to try and help rather than to do nothing and wish you had.
      Thank you my friend, our teamwork is effective most of the time ;)

      Delete
  19. Two thumbs up! Although there's a universal signal for choking, and people should know that if a person is coughing, they don't NEED the Heimlich, far too few people realize either of these things. Or remember them in the heat of the moment. Cooler heads always prevail. Thanks for spreading the word so effectively.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Susan, Yes unless a person stops coughing altogether it is best to just let them cough, with this one he was still coughing some, more like squeaking so I got myself into position just in case, since he coughed it up I was there to give him a hug :)

      Delete
  20. I had to do the Heimlich on myself, on the edge of the kitchen sink--SCARY!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Fran, A lot of people don't realize that you can do the Heimlich on yourself, on the back of a kitchen chair, a counter, or the kitchen sink like you did, I can just imagine how scary that was and I am glad you were calm enough to pull it off, well done Lady.

      Delete
  21. That was a great story Jimmy. I'm sure it's a classic in your household.
    It was great both you and Cindy knew what to do. I had the training a long time ago, and have only used it once in many years.

    Many years ago, I was eating something while driving my car. It became stuck, and I totally couldn't breath. I pulled over to the side of the road and was really getting scared (I was alone). I told myself that if I didn't relax, it would never come out. So that is what I did. I guess it helped, because it dislodged and I was able to breath again. At the time, it felt like all took about 5 minutes from start to finish. It was probably only a fraction of that amount of time.

    Okay, now to the serious stuff. I LOVE German Chocolate cake. Unfortunately, everyone else in my family (and extended family) HATES it.

    I went many years having chocolate cake instead, so everyone else would eat it. My family is pretty sharp though, it only took about 10 years before somebody thought to make TWO cakes. One for me, and one for everybody else.

    Great post Jimmy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Pat, Man I'm glad you got yourself relaxed enough for that food to become dislodged, had you panicked the results would not have been good I am sure, like you said it was probably over with really quickly, but those situations sure seem to take a long time.

      I have always loved German Chocolate cake, it is my absolute favorite, it sounds like you have it figured out with your family, they all share a cake and you get one of your own, this is definitely a win/win for you.

      Delete
  22. Good advice about learning the Heimlich maneuver. Many times, choking is caused by eating too fast.

    I remember when we still lived in Buffalo, some kids in a high school in Niagara Falls had a bet about stuffing a whole slice of pizza in their mouths. One of the kids ended up choking to death, even though the teachers knew how to do the Heimlich maneuver. The pizza was just lodged too deeply in the kid's throat. Ugh - just writing about it makes me nervous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eating too fast definitely makes sense for a cause of choking.

      Stuffing a whole slice of pizza into your mouth is a recipe for disaster anyway, it's sad that one of the kids lost their lives by attempting this, I feel bad for the teacher who tried to save them, that had to be tough.

      Delete

Thanks for stopping by, jump in and tell me what you think, or just say Hi, I really appreciate your comments.