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Even if I never do another smart thing... So glad I took a first aid/cpr course
Changma   Advanced Beginner NY USA Member since 2/20/12 Posts: 430	Login to reply to this post 9 members like this. Date: 9/7/12 4:57 PM Yesterday was the first school day for NYC students. I had my wonderful first graders, with whom I was lucky enough to loop from kindergarten. My kids were eating snack when one of my sweeties started choking on a grape (Never gave my daughter grapes at that age unless I cut them-hotdogs too. She still cuts her dogs lengthwise and she's 16!) This was the real deal choke-turning blue, couldn't speak, and 21 other 5 & 6 year olds looking on in horror. I took first aid/cpr when I brought my daughter home from China, took it again a few years later, and took it once more when I started teaching 7 years ago. Haven't taken it since, and never used it before yesterday. Didn't think I remembered anything, but it was like I was programmed. A few good abdominal thrusts and a huge grape flew over three desks. He started to cry (thank God) and I grabbed a passing teacher to bring him to the nurse. Taught the rest of the day, went to see my dad in the hospital, then went home and CRIED. Anyway, the reason I am writing this is to perhaps motivate some of you to take a first aid class...hopefully you'll never need to use it, but just in case... And, quite honestly, to just vent. -- Edited on 9/7/12 5:02 PM --
tourist   Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 7/23/07 Posts: 5476	Login to reply to this post In reply to Changma << Like this post Date: 9/7/12 5:33 PM Wow - that sounds terrifying! I work with babies and we are so careful with what they eat. I would think a 6 year old would be able to manage grapes, but when you are talking and eating and have others around, it does happen, As a matter of fact, I had a mouthful of water go down the wrong way yesterday and I just spewed it all over the floor. Came up my nose and I had to cough for a long time to completely clear it, so you just never know! What a lucky little boy that you remembered all that good stuff! I'll bet he will behave really, really well this year - at least for a little while. ------ http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
Michelle T Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 4188	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 9/7/12 6:44 PM I agree that first aid training should be taken by all. I have only had to use it in a true emergency (choking child) once 25 years ago, but retake the training regularly. The child in question was my own and we were in a remote location with no access to any sort of health care providers. I was able to use the infant hold and dislodge the obstruction. If I had not known what to do or panicked he would have died. ------ Proud parent of a Dwight International School Honour Roll Student
lareine   Intermediate NEW ZEALAND Member since 11/10/06 Posts: 1066	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/8/12 1:09 AM How wonderful that you knew what to do and didn't panic or freeze. That little boy probably owes you his life. Good work! And yes, it is good advice to learn what to do in a situation like that. I had my St John first aid cert for a while but it has expired now. I really should take a refresher course.
lareine   Intermediate NEW ZEALAND Member since 11/10/06 Posts: 1066	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/8/12 1:10 AM Michelle T, how terrifying for you. Probably at the time you just did what you needed to do, but I'm sure you freaked out a bit afterwards!
Cathy Loves Fabric   Intermediate USA Member since 4/16/04 Posts: 1820	Login to reply to this post In reply to Changma << 1 member likes this. Date: 9/8/12 1:18 AM Thanks for the excellent reminder! And thank goodness you were in the room and trained. There isn't time in a choking case to wait for EMS. As a critical care nurse I performed CPR more times then I can count, maybe one hundred? When your loved one crashes, there is no time to waste waiting for EMS. Training classes are available everywhere. There are several sites on the web to get some general knowledge. Easy CPR More detailed info ------ My hope is to sew to the very end. They'll find my head slumped over my precious Kenmore 19606 and have to pry the seam ripper from my cold, dead hands.
Maia B   Advanced Beginner IL USA Member since 10/27/10 Posts: 3510	Login to reply to this post In reply to Changma << 1 member likes this. Date: 9/8/12 6:05 AM Thanks be to God you were there, prepared and able to save a life! God bless you for it, as what's a greater accomplishment? Let's all imagine if she hadn't been...the dead child, the horrible loss to the family, the trauma to all those children and onlookers due to watching a child die, the crushing guilt of "if only". Stuff is gonna happen, friends, take CPR and 1st Aid. Maia, RN :) ------ 🌸 Plenty of machines, mostly Berninas 🌸
Changma   Advanced Beginner NY USA Member since 2/20/12 Posts: 430	Login to reply to this post In reply to Maia B << Like this post Date: 9/8/12 6:36 AM My students are so fabulous this year...after my boy left for the nurse, they let me collect myself-it was so hot and humid, and by that point the sweat was pouring off me-and then we talked about safety issues, such as why we take small bites and don't walk around while we are eating. I explained that it could be dangerous for them, and also they might bump into someone else who is eating, and that child could start choking. They were listening, believe me, and no one even mentioned that this child was not even walking around Also the perfect opportunity to mention not talking with food in your mouth Anyway, I think that a few may have gone home and told their parents about the whole episode, so maybe some of the parents will be inspired to take the course, too. And one of my little girls said she definitely wants to learn how to do the Heimlich ( I'm picturing her tiny arms around my big old belly-hah! ). So hopefully some seeds have been planted. And...I'm bring up first aid training for all our teachers at the next safety meeting-right now our school only trains volunteers from out-of-classroom personnel.
Mirza Advanced Beginner LA USA Member since 10/6/04 Posts: 552	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/8/12 8:37 AM So glad that you took that class and that you and your student have recovered! Just curious, did anyone call the parents to let them know what happened? Perhaps they won't send grapes to school anymore.
gramma b Advanced USA Member since 7/25/08 Posts: 2304	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 9/8/12 8:51 AM They aren't advertising CPR enough like they used to. Most don't know mouth-to-mouth isn't necessary anymore, just chest compressions. A few years back Seattle was determined to train everyone over 15 or so in the city in CPR, so anywhere someone had a problem, there were many to help. As a result, they had/have the lowest rate of such deaths in the US. They taught not only in the schools, but also in the businesses. As noted on TV videos of bystanders not offering help, this should be done in every city. When my son was a toddler, he was choking on something and I just punched my thumb in his diaphragm and it popped out, so it doesn't take much for a child.

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