Isn't that the scariest thing when you realize that they can't breathe. My oldest choked on a peppermint and it was awful. I can still remember just how frozen I was until I realized I had to DO something. I'm glad she's okay.

Isn't that the scariest thing when you realize that they can't breathe. My oldest choked on a peppermint and it was awful. I can still remember just how frozen I was until I realized I had to DO something. I'm glad she's okay.

For that split second before I did something, yes, it was terrifying. She was choking on a Werther's. I'm glad she did fine as well. I think my wife was terrified.

Child abuser!!!!

Good job in not giving in to panic.

Whoa! Sure am glad everything turned out OK. That's always a scary scenario. I would like to think that in the same situation, I too would beat my children!

Good work.

Is there a doctor in the house?

Somehow, when it comes to our training, we forget our years of training and panic!  You did well.

I thought the Heimlich maneuver was supposed to be the first technique to try, or has that advice been changed now?

It depends on the size of the person. For adults, you bet. For smaller children you lie them down and give them abdominal thrusts, or if they are small enough, tilt them face down at 45 degrees and administer back blows. She is big enough I probably should have gone for the lie her down thing, but with all the adrenaline pumping it was just easier to grab her, turn her head down and give her a wallop.

Glad to hear your daughter is okay. It is scary enough as it is seeing anyone choke...but even more terrifying seeing a little one go through that...Sometime last year, my brother had to do the Heimlich on my year-old niece when she was choking...I am glad he was there, because everyone else around during that time seemed to have gone into
shock.

This article also makes me think about going to do something I've been wanted to do for a while: get CPR certified.

I'm very glad to read your daughter is fine! holy cow, that is soooooo scary.
If I may ask, how old is she? I ask because of the following:

My daughter was 3 1/2 the spring I bought her a jawbreaker.....she choked, I slapped her on the back
and nothing happened.
So then I opened her mouth, and used my index finger to create a "hook" and dug the blasted thing
out of her throat!
I took her straight to Children's Hosp. to have checked over, she was fine, other than a mild scratch,
and I'll never buy those jawbreakers ever again.

You know, when I beat my children I usually use a copper bowl. Takes less time than stainless steel to get stiff peaks.


(I keed! I keed!)

And to think... I may be a pediatrician...

It's so hard to "follow the rulebook" in an emergency.

I remember taking all those first aid and CPR courses (I think I need to get that renewed here...hmmmmm). The general person in America isn't a professional healthcare worker, and the general person in America doesn't deal with life or death situations every day. Anyway...the paramedic that taught the CPR course for my class basically told us that we wouldn't remember EXACTLY what to do if any of the scenarios we were roleplaying were presented to us. He said that we probably wouldn't remember exactly how to do the Heimlich or administer CPR to someone, but if you're doing SOMETHING...that's better than NOTHING (well...that was in regards to the CPR and rescue breathing...at least you're getting SOME sort of oxygen to the victim's brain).

Good job, BD. I bet the connection you have with your little one will be even stronger since you saved her life!

GROAN!

I would have laughed, but I saw it coming from a mile away. Still a funny one though.

Any time, happy to help.

This article also makes me think about going to do something I've been wanted to do for a while: get CPR certified.

It is a great idea. My wife an I both are, and I give 'refresher' lessons every now and then for both of us.

So then I opened her mouth, and used my index finger to create a "hook" and dug the blasted thing out of her throat!

I was glad I didn't have to do a sweep job. Yucky, but can be effective.

And to think... I may be a pediatrician...

Dude, I would take my kids to you. There is no stronger endorsement I can offer.

Good job, BD. I bet the connection you have with your little one will be even stronger since you saved her life!

Well, I don't know about that, but at least she is okay.

I had to Heimlich my dad once. He was choking on a piece of steak. You really don't know how you will react to a situation until you are in it. I always thought that I would freeze when I was taking the classes but when the time came, I was on autopilot. It seemed like everything and everyone else froze and I just looked around and went right into action.

Once my dad was okay, I sat down, realized what had just happened and started shaking. I think everyone should take CPR and first aid classes. You never know when you might be able to save a life.

Good job on beating your daughter. I had to say that because really, how many opportunities does one get to say such a thing?

My mom died last year choking on a piece of steak. She was out on the patio eating and my aunt had gone inside for about 5 minutes to get something. Came back out and my mom was on the ground, blue. The paramedics arrived and got the meat out, but by then it was too late.

I remember the same thing happened to me when I was about four. I started choking on a hard candy and I remember my dad just picking me up by my foot and going to town. Needless to say, it worked. Choking is such a shitty thing, I think regardless of the "proper" way to do it, if it worked to dislodge the item, then it was the proper way.

Good job.

-- B

Way to wail on her BlueDev!!!!

I guess I don't need to tell you that you did the right thing by not trying the Heimlich on a small child... Doctor. ;~D

When I trained that particular maneuver, I would describe how hard to hit by saying, "Just hard enough to make momma nervous".

It is always rough to treat kids, but your own, that's just heartwrenching!