Things that make you think twice
Took the kids to the water park this weekend. On the way back, we stopped at a Mexican joint where I got a big sandwich called La Cubana. It was huge. Full of shredded pork, cheese, bacon, avocado, seasoned mayo, and lots of other goodies. And it was huge. I couldn’t finish it. Junior kept eyeballing it and was bored of her wings so I gave her a big slice. Later, she got hungry and asked for the sandwich and the Mrs. heated it up for her.
I’m sitting at the bar in the kitchen surfing the internets when I hear some stumbling behind me. I turn around and see Junior and she’s terrified and not making a sound. There’s a bit of sandwich on the floor. She’s choking. I leap from the stool, position myself behind her, and administer the Heimlich maneuver. One thrust and a big chunk of shredded pork hurtles out of her mouth and lands about three feet away. I ask her if she can talk. She says yes. I ask if she’s OK. She says yes but she’s scared. I give her a hug and tell her she’ll be OK.
As I mentioned once before when my kid’s life was in danger and I had to react, time just stood still. It lasted a few seconds but it seemed forever. I was quite deliberate, making sure to mentally note that stuff I’ve learned in various CPR and first aid classes. I was deliberate in placing my hands in such a manner as not to break her ribs. And had the presence of mind to hear the sound of the food leaving her mouth and knowing to stop. It was a pretty bizarre experience.
After, came the what ifs, mostly from the Mrs. What if I had been downstairs or in the shower or just not in the room. I reviewed some stuff with Junior (like the universal sign for choking) and if it happens again to come get me as fast as she can. I also told her she needed to chew her food more, especially meats.
She doesn’t want any more of that sandwich.
February 19th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Did that with an exgf-friend once. Keep an eye on her to make certain she doesn’t develop aspiration-caused pneumonia. She did.
February 19th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Well done Dad! You can start breathing again.
February 19th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Damn! I’ll bet you aged 10 years in ten seconds. So glad it worked out.
February 19th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Nice job. Stuff like that can get awfully scary while it’s happening, but that’s what we train for, and it sounds like you did the thing just about as well as it can be done.
February 19th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Good work sir!
February 19th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
As a father, I bet your blood still runs cold. Good job.
February 19th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Damn, here I am reading this thinking … mmm, sounds like an awesome sandwich, then with the terror. I can’t imagine how I’d respond in such a situation. I’d hope to be calm and collected but … well, let’s hope I never have to find out.
February 19th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
I was on the other side of that equation as a child. I was eating steak, took too big of a bite, and the next thing I know I cannot breathe.
My father did the exact same thing as you, with the same results.
Sorry that you had to go through it, but I am glad that everything is ok.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Oh, damn. I got a rush of adrenalin just reading this. Keep an eye on her (like guffaw said) and thank goodness dad didn’t just freeze.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Way to be prepared Dad!!! There is truly something special about anyone who can keep their cool in order to take care of the task at hand. Double that when it involves someone you love. My thanks to you for learning and implementing the tools necessary to keep you family and friends alive and well. You are truly a Father AND a Dad. Proof positive that you practice what you preach!
Disavowed With Honor
February 20th, 2012 at 12:12 am
You have qualified as Serious Competent Dad. Don’t let it go to your head.
February 20th, 2012 at 12:50 am
Don’t know what to say, Uncle. I just don’t. A father’s living nightmare. Bless you and yours.
February 20th, 2012 at 1:28 am
A 10 year old boy in my son’s class died a couple weeks ago from strangulation. He was downstairs playing and they were upstairs. His shirt caught on the bookshelf when he climbed down from getting something from it. By the time they found him it was too late.
I choked on a caramel as a boy. Sticky freaking thing defeated the heimlick and back slaps. I’ll never forget the look on my dad’s face when he spun me around and shoved his fingers down my throat. Worked, he got the caramel out.
February 20th, 2012 at 2:52 am
Why do you feel the need to learn CPR/Heimlich??? Do you live in fear?
Sorry Uncle, spent too much time on the Starbucks page reading CSGV and the like.
Hope all is well.
February 20th, 2012 at 9:08 am
Had to do this to the brother -in-law a couple of years ago. He took too large a bite of steak. Freaked out some of the other folks at the restaurant, but everything calmed down after a few minutes. Really pays to attend CPR/FA classes.
February 20th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
A perfect example of a serious man and a serious father. It’s why you took the time to take the training – so your daughter could breathe another day. It’s a good reminder to all of us to check the dates on all our cards to see if we need to take a new walk through the Red Cross or whatever other agency trains us all. Good job sir . . . good job.
February 20th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
I was taught in a CPR class recently that you should take a choking victim to the ER to get the trachea checked out and kept an eye on, in case it starts to swell up and close off the airway, but I’m glad Junior’s okay and you’re okay. Not all superheros wear capes 😉
February 21st, 2012 at 1:12 am
Great Job Glad She Was O.K.I Think Everyone Should Take The Time And Take A CPR Class You Just Never Know When You Might Need To Use It.