My husband just watched a man die

[laurie31]

I was also thinking this.

Also, some foods are almost impossible if not possible at all to expel. My dm who's a Med assistant told me that in one of her college classes, the professor told ppl NOT to EVER let kids stuff marshmellows in their mouths. (aka the 'chubby bunny game) Marshmellows form a perfect seal in the windpipe and are almost impossible to expel.

Yes, this is what I was thinking. Everyone may have done the Heimlich correctly and still not been able to dislodge the food. What a horrible thing to witness.

Laurie

 

[Hillbeans]

A friend of mine years ago was an EMT and they had arrived on a scene where a young girl swallowed one of those small rubber balls you get from the .25 cent machine. I guess it got so far lodged that the heimlich maneuver couldn't get it out. I'm sure the same (unfortunately) happens with food sometimes.

How scary.

Also, OT, they say not to eat and drive because if you choke you can't do the heimlich on yourself in the car.

 

[Stitchfans]

I heard that many people won't get involved even if they do know how to help because they are afraid of being sued if something goes wrong. Sad.

 

[laura001]

It's possible that it was an allergic reaction, which can resemble choking, but no food is stuck.

That was my thought exactly. It is quite possible that that is what happened if the heimlich didn't work.

It is sad that your husband had to witness this, it must have upset him a lot.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

What a sad situation. I couldn't even imagine. My first thought was that it was an allergic reaction.

 

[Pooh67_68]

for your husband.

 

[msdznyduck]

I took DD15 to lunch last year at a restaurant inside a mall. A woman walked into the rest room.....we didn't pay any attention. Apparently she was choking and I guess didn't want to be embarrassed, so went into the rest room. Her daughter found her on the floor when she didn't come back in a reasonable time. A man from the next table (he later said he was a fireman, and was certified in advanced CPR) saw what was going on, since the daughter was upset, and went back and tried to revive her, but was too late. If she only hadn't gone to the ladies room, she may have been saved. Both DD and I am CPR certified, so we could have maybe helped if she stayed at her table. It was an awful thing to witness. We tried to finish our lunch quickly and leave, but there were so many EMTs, police, and general confusion, that our waitperson was scarce. I felt so bad for the daughter, and the woman, and felt very guilty about it.....since I am always going to the ladies room, and was surprised I wasn't the one to find her.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

I took DD15 to lunch last year at a restaurant inside a mall. A woman walked into the rest room.....we didn't pay any attention. Apparently she was choking and I guess didn't want to be embarrassed, so went into the rest room.

I've read that this is not uncommon. People who are choking will go into the restroom, where there is no one to help them.

 

[Lil_Tink]

It's possible that it was an allergic reaction, which can resemble choking, but no food is stuck.

Yup..Its when your throat closes up.Happened to my dad but he was ok..


That is so terrible. I am also supprised none of the chefs or anyone knew how to do it..

 

[huckster]

this happened to me twice at work both enebd up not being able to save.. i had a hard time dealing with it , it really shakes you up , i know it did me i felt guilty and sad and kept wondering was there something i could of did.

 

[doxdogy]

I am so sorry that your DH had to witness such a tragedy. DH almost choked at home a couple of years ago. I could not apply enough pressure on his chest to bring it up. He was able to do it to himself by using the corner of the dining room table.

 

[TINKTWINS]

How scary and sad, I think most people do go into panic mode, a while back I started to choke on a piece of bacon and DH just panicked, I saw my life flash! So scary, If I were a witness I'm not so sure I would be any help either Im a panicker too.

 

[CherCrazy]

I've read many times that you should
NEVER GO INTO THE BATHROOM ALONE IF YOU ARE CHOKING.

Kids and un-blown up balloons are also a big no-no. They can inhale them. My aunt was a nurse and saw a few kids die who had inhaled the balloons while trying to blow them up.

I also heard that if all else fails, you could try a tracheotomy, using a pen casing for the air tube. Maybe someone with medical experience can comment on this...or give us other ideas to help someone who is choking.

 

[tevagirl]

How horrible for that poor man and every one who was there.

 

[calie_j]

I am so sorry that your DH had to witness such a tragedy. DH almost choked at home a couple of years ago. I could not apply enough pressure on his chest to bring it up. He was able to do it to himself by using the corner of the dining room table.

Sorry, CPR instructor in me is coming out. The heimlich is performed on the stomach; above the belly button and below the ribs. The only time you would do it on the chest (same position where you would apply chest compressions of CPR) would be on someone who is pregnant or very large and you couldn't do it in the right position. Don't mean to correct you as I'm sure you had a reason to do it this way or maybe just typed it wrong just informing the public on this very busy public forum.

Calie

 

[tiggersmom2]

The heimlich will not always work if the food is waaaaay down. Prayers for your hubby, that must have been really difficult.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I've read many times that you should
NEVER GO INTO THE BATHROOM ALONE IF YOU ARE CHOKING.

Kids and un-blown up balloons are also a big no-no. They can inhale them. My aunt was a nurse and saw a few kids die who had inhaled the balloons while trying to blow them up.

I also heard that if all else fails, you could try a tracheotomy, using a pen casing for the air tube. Maybe someone with medical experience can comment on this...or give us other ideas to help someone who is choking.

I just finished my CPR last month and asked the same question. I was told NOT to do the trach b/c again, the obstruction could be below where you cut for the trach...and it will do no good.

 

[Planogirl]

I just finished my CPR last month and asked the same question. I was told NOT to do the trach b/c again, the obstruction could be below where you cut for the trach...and it will do no good.

But what if you just can't get the item to come up and the person is clearly choking? And also, if it's an allergic reaction, wouldn't a tracheotomy help?

This is such a scary thing.

 

[raammartin]

Hugs to your DH and that man's poor family. I can't imagine witnessing that. Choking is so scary because you seem so helpless.

 

[Sleepy]

Kids and un-blown up balloons are also a big no-no. They can inhale them.

Giving a child a whole boiled egg is also dangerous. Back in the mid 60's, one of my aunt's gave my cousin a boiled egg and instead of eating it, she was sucking it in and pushing it back out her mouth...like it was a fun game. Well, she sucked too hard and it went down her throat. Nobody knew heimlich, so my aunt was trying to force my cousin to swallow water. My mom grabbed her and hung her upside down by the ankle and smacked her acoss the back until finally the egg popped out. Luck I am sure.