Now I've had to preform the Heimlich Manuever on two of my children once before, but never on an adult. I realized as Jim continued to choke that I needed to do something so I got up and prepared to do the Heimlich once again. The problems became immediately evident.
1. Jim was seated in a rather thick backed chair.
2. Jim is a big-chested man.
3. Tracie has short arms.
Those things added up to very nearly cause me disaster. Now keep in mind, I was ready to throw Jim to the floor to jump on his gut and Heimlich with my foot, but this tall, angelic man came to our rescue.
Just as he started to help, however, Jim managed to free the lettuce and began to breath again. It was a terrifying situation that happened in the matter of less than a minute. So this is my reminder to everyone out there to learn or review the Heimlich Manuever.
And a special thanks to my Minnesota angel wherever you are, I hope your travels go well and that God gives you a special blessing for your kindness and willing heart.
Oh and I nearly forgot - the WINNERS FOR LAST WEEKS DRAWING - congrats to all!
Cindy Blankenship
Beth Gillihan
Linda Barcus
Patty - pattymh2000@yahoo.com
Beth - Mommiebethers@ameritech.net
Please send me your full name and address at TJPBOOKS@aol.com and I will send you a copy of TO LOVE AND CHERISH!
God Bless!
Tracie
Hi Tracie!
ReplyDeleteI was very interested to read your post this week. I felt so sorry for your hubby, he must have felt extremely scared and I applaud you for going to his aid. I find it very interesting that the US uses the Heimlich Manoeuvre.
If you were in Australia, you would find that the HM technique is not used here and I thought you may be interested to see how Ausies respond to a situation, such as your hubby's.
We are taught that Research has shown, that if ABDOMINAL thrusts are performed, it may in fact cause the person to re inhale the foreign body, which may actually be in the process of being partially dislodged.
The recommended management for airway obstruction, is to firstly check inside the mouth for any forein body which may be easily removed. If there is total airway obstruction, initiate 5 back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of one hand,which increases pressure in the blocked airway. This may result in partial or total dislodgement of the inhaled foreign body, or activate a cough. You should actually check after each blow, to see if the previous blow has relieved the obstruction.
STEP TWO : This is followed by 5 CHEST thrusts, once again checking after each chest thrust for relief of obstruction.
The positioning for adults or large children for back blows is to stand or sit.
Smaller children or babies to be placed head downwards along or across the rescuer's thighs. In the case of babes,less force used with the back blows.
In the case of an unconscious adult victim, attempt to clear and open the airway. If the person is not breathing, turn them on their side and deliver the back blows. If there is no success,begin the chest thrusts.
The positioning for the chest thrusts for adults or children is to sit or stand against a firm support(wall or chair back)
Infants should be placed head upwards in a supine position (on their back)along the rescuer's thigh, with the head supported. The chest thrusts should be applied more sharply but slower compression than that used when giving CPR.
Unconscious victims are turned supine (on their back) for the delivery of the chest thrusts.
When dealing with a partially obstructed airway, give reassurance and encouragement to the victim to keep attempting to clear the obstruction themselves by coughing to expel the foreign body. If the person's condition worsens then treat as for a total obstruction.
Keep repeating until ambulance arrives(hopefully someone would have phoned) if there is no response by the victim.
I apologise for this saga ,but it is a topic which is vital and very specific in my line of work.
I heartily endorse your sentiments about education in an emergency Tracie. One just NEVER knows when it may well be needed!
I must say that I am amazed that we don't ALL use Universal Guidelines in this instance.Don't you think it would make life a lot simpler as far as education?
Praise God, that your dear Jim responded so well!:)
Wow -- how frightening! And wonderful that someone was willing to step in.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Australian way to deal with it is something I've never heard of before but it does make sense. Very interesting too because I would have thought basic first aid treatments would be universal. Thanks for sharing!!!
Thank God that Jim is okay! It had to be a terrifying moment for both of you.
ReplyDeleteRosie, the US starts with the Heimlich. Once the victim loses consciousness, we then go through the same process you outlined.
We don't Heimlich babies. We immediately use the procedure you stated.
A little sideline: The first "dummies" used to teach CPR were named "Annie" after the inventor's daughter, who might have been saved if someone had known what to do. In classes, we were taught to shake the dummy and ask loudly, "Annie, Annies, are you alright?" After taking refresher classes every year from age 10, that was deeply ingrained. As we sat charting one evening, I once told a few other nurses I feared I'd come across an unconscious, strapping male patient, shake his shoulder and call him Annie. Every last one of them burst out laughing because she'd worried about the same thing!
Bottom line: Jim, don't make me come up there and call you Annie!
Oh Cath! I can identify with the "Annie" bit.LOL! Do you still do EAR at the commencement of CPR? We now only do compressions initially.
ReplyDeleteSO glad Jim is fine, Tracie. That had to be so scary---but thank the Lord an Angel came in case you needed him. *smile* ~ Wow, I feel like I've just had a "mini CPR lesson"! (actually, I did take CPR when my kiddos were younger).~ Thanks for sharing the Aussie methods with us, Rosie. And Cathy--the ending of your comment gave me a smile. ~ Hugs, Patti Jo
ReplyDeletep.s. CONGRATS to the book winners! You will so enjoy reading TO LOVE AND CHERISH--I'm reading it right now and LOVE it! (GREAT job Tracie and Miss Judy!). Love, PJ
So thankful Jim is fine, Tracie. i would hate to have had you use the hindlick procedure. i have it on good authority that that works, too! LOL
ReplyDeleteSo thank your husband is okay! Thank you Lord!
ReplyDelete