When I was about 10 years old my sister was working on her first aid badge for the Girl Guides and I was her "victim" at the St Johns Ambulance. As she had to learn everything and practice it on me I also learned it. I never ever forgot how to do CPR and now know the modified version that has replaced the older version. When I worked at the hospital I had to learn the Heimlich Maneuver. Again, I have never forgotten it and always hoped I wouldn't have to use it.
Today Rosie was sitting eating her lunch and she was having a Clementine. She has eaten these from day one and I have always cut the segments in half. Today for whatever reason it got stuck in her throat. I looked up at her and she had the most horrendous expression on her face as she was trying to breathe, it was a mix of panic and fear. I grabbed her and turned her over and whacked her on the back but nothing happened so I turned her the right way up and performed the heimlich on her. It worked. She dislodged the orange and gasped a huge breathe of air. Within seconds she was 100% fine.......me not so much. My hands and legs were shaking and I can't quite get her face out of my mind.
If you are a parent you need to know how to do both CPR and the Heimlich. It infuriates me that the Red Cross charges money for these courses but it is a nominal fee and oh so worth it. I found a video on you tube that might help a little bit. Please take the time to learn basic first aid...it can save a life.
Parenting is not for the feint of heart!
4 comments:
Goodness! You must have been scared witless!
David is required to know CPR & the Heimlich for his job although I haven't figured out why a computer tech / phone guy would need this. However, we're glad he does know it.
So glad to hear that Rosie is okay now. Please give her a huge hug from fans up North!
Oh Dawn! I can't imagine that fear and having to do that to your child. Patrick and I have both taken infant first aid and CPR, but seeing this I'm going to watch the video and maybe take the course again to keep Eliana safe.
((((((((((((((HUGE HUG)))))))))))))
Love, April
Oh how scary! One thing is to learn it, another to actually use it on your own child. I think I would have been shaking and crying. Bravo to you for having learned these life saving techniques and for sharing with others.
Catching up today. Maddy has also choked a few times on Clementines. I also cut them in half now and she does better. Totally a scary experience and I'm a nurse~! glad you were there for Rosie and knew what to do!
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