What I read saved my mom's life

[chuck_roxas45]

My mom is an active 85 year old who lives with me. My wife, my mom, and I were having dinner when my mom suddenly choked and pointed to her throat. She tried to drink some water but it came back up. All the while she was coughing and choking.

I had, of course, read about the Heimlich Maneuver but I never had any actual instruction. I knew by the way she was getting blue in the face that we would never make it out of the house to the hospital. In desperation, I decided to try the Heimlich Maneuver.

The first attempt was not nearly hard enough. I did it harder the second time. A chewed up wad of chicken shot out accompanied to my mother spitting out a stream of invectives at me at how I hurt her side.

When I heard that, I knew she was fine. Whew! After that we went to the hospital where she was pronounced fine albeit with a few bruised ribs. The doc said I saved her life.

[Pinetreebbs]

Fantastic!

[Jazz]

That's great! I don't know what else to say. :)

- best wishes, Jazz.

[chuck_roxas45]

Thanks guys!

[SolidState]

It looks like she needs a spyderco to cut her chicken into smaller pieces! Does this make you two even for her giving you life? Cheers on a job well done!

[chuck_roxas45]

It looks like she needs a spyderco to cut her chicken into smaller pieces! Does this make you two even for her giving you life? Cheers on a job well done!

She raised me for at least 15 years and even more with her advice when I was a young adult. Not even, not by far. Thanks for the attaboy! :D I am actually quite proud that I did not panic.

[HellHound]

Just a quick head's up if you see a choking person and he's getting worse by the second don't pat him on the back that might actually get the chunk of food stuck in the throat deeper and harder to push out,use the Heimilich only.

[chuck_roxas45]

Just a quick head's up if you see a choking person and he's getting worse by the second don't pat him on the back that might actually get the chunk of food stuck in the throat deeper and harder to push out,use the Heimilich only.

Thanks for the head's up. I was going to thump her on the back when I remembered the Heimlich.

[Creepo]

This reminds me of the first aid courses I've been on. Most of the time the Heimlich is considered a risky maneuver and the trainers often pretty much scare people that it shouldn't be done unless you really know what you're doing. Then when the s**t hits the fan people freeze and are too scared to do anything.
On one course on the other hand we had a different kind of trainer, she actually brought up the whole matter. Her opinion on the matter was pretty much:
Who the hell cares about a couple broken ribs after surviving a life and death experience!? :D

[chuck_roxas45]

This reminds me of the first aid courses I've been on. Most of the time the Heimlich is considered a risky maneuver and the trainers often pretty much scare people that it shouldn't be done unless you really know what you're doing. Then when the s**t hits the fan people freeze and are too scared to do anything.


Lucky for my mom then. :D

[2edgesword]

"accompanied to my mother spitting out a stream of invectives at me at how I hurt her side"

Got to love mom :).

[dsmegst]

Wow, you did good. I learned this in school a long time ago. I really don't know if I can do it correctly, but I need to look into it. Thank God I never had to use it.

Way to go!

[SMI]

Well done, that maneuver has saved a ton of lives. Glad to hear she is alright!

You know, I heard that maneuver is really effective at expelling ingested water from drowning victims too. I guess it is very good at getting out that initial water that prevents CPR from being truly effective. If you ever find yourself in that situation and CPR isn't working, the Heimlich may be the ticket.

[wec12]

Glad she is alright! Good job chuck!

[chuck_roxas45]

"accompanied to my mother spitting out a stream of invectives at me at how I hurt her side"

Got to love mom :).

Yep, brought me up right. :D

Thanks all you guys, :D

[Simple Man]

.....spitting out a stream of invectives at me......

Great job keeping a cool head in a potentially bad situation.
Also, thanks for teaching me a new word, had to go Google that one.

Gonna try to use that one - Word-of-the-day there.

[ChapmanPreferred]

Well done! Glad your mom is going to be okay.

[StangBang]

Great job and quick thinking!!! :) Glad she is ok!

[chuck_roxas45]

Thanks again guys.

[dialex]

Congratulations and thanks for the story. I'm glad your mother is fine.

[psimonl]

A couple of months after I met my other half, some 12 years ago, we were eating in a sushi restaurant. Sho shoke on a piece and I had to help her with the heimlick trick. I knew about it but never, as a lot of people, had the chance to practice....

She went for the bathroom ( first reaction when coughing) but u-turned because she felt she could die in there....

She put her hands on her stomach, all while turning red or blue, and imitating the technique....

I took her from the back and did the best I could.......... She finally cought a big piece of octopus that flew all accross the dining room and I got to finish her plate....!!!:D

She owes her life to me and everytime we have an argument.... I tell her :"Don't ever forget I saved your life in a Sushi restaurant...!!!"

Simon

[Dr. Snubnose]

Good Job!!!! Glad you didn't panic and used your head, I mean your hands...anyhow, glad your Mom is fine....You done good!....Doc:D

[chuck_roxas45]

Thanks guys. My mom's quite dear to me.

[enduraguy]

Awesome. In my opinion, everyone should have CPR training.

[chuck_roxas45]

Awesome. In my opinion, everyone should have CPR training.

That's a good idea, have to look into that. Thanks.

[SUDS]

Good job! Im sure your mom was thankful

[*Cho*]

This reminds me of the first aid courses I've been on. Most of the time the Heimlich is considered a risky maneuver and the trainers often pretty much scare people that it shouldn't be done unless you really know what you're doing...Her opinion on the matter was pretty much:
Who the hell cares about a couple broken ribs after surviving a life and death experience!? :D

The Heimlich is being replaced by the J-thurst in CPR classes. It isn't just about breaking ribs that poses a potential risk it is also if you break the lower ribs, such as the 12th rib, that usually when broken will lacerate other organs such as the liver or the lungs leading to much worse complications.

But really the J-thurst is the samething and uses pretty much the same principles. Make a first with your hand with the knuckle of your thumb sticking out. Place that fist in the center of the person choking at their diaphram. With your other hand clasp the fist and push inwards and then upwards.

Good to hear your mom is ok though.

[chuck_roxas45]

The Heimlich is being replaced by the J-thurst in CPR classes. It isn't just about breaking ribs that poses a potential risk it is also if you break the lower ribs, such as the 12th rib, that usually when broken will lacerate other organs such as the liver or the lungs leading to much worse complications.

But really the J-thurst is the samething and uses pretty much the same principles. Make a first with your hand with the knuckle of your thumb sticking out. Place that fist in the center of the person choking at their diaphram. With your other hand clasp the fist and push inwards and then upwards.

Good to hear your mom is ok though.

Thanks, but I'm now a little confused. That's actually what I did. make a fist with thumb sticking up and put the thumb at the solar plexus. Then inward and upward. if that's the J-thrust, then what's the heimlich?

[*Cho*]

Thanks, but I'm now a little confused. That's actually what I did. make a fist with thumb sticking up and put the thumb at the solar plexus. Then inward and upward. if that's the J-thrust, then what's the heimlich?

I always thought it as the hand position honestly. I've never learned the heimlich maneuver because when I took my CPR Level C and my HPC they only taught the J-thurst. First time I learned we asked and the answer I stated above is the one we were given. I have to re-certify ever year because my governing body says we have to and each time I re-certify it is always the J-thrust.

**edited because I was looking for the answer**
According to this http://www.enotes.com/nursing-encyclopedia/heimlich-maneuver and I don't know how "reputable" this website is, they are really the same thing.

The site uses good sources and their information is good, so I the j-thrust is the same thing but I am still unsure why the "name" change. That being said the dangers are still there and people receiving treatment for those untrained are at greater risk, but like Creepo said earlier what is a greater risk than death.

[chuck_roxas45]

I always thought it as the hand position honestly. I've never learned the heimlich maneuver because when I took my CPR Level C and my HPC they only taught the J-thurst. First time I learned we asked and the answer I stated above is the one we were given. I have to re-certify ever year because my governing body says we have to and each time I re-certify it is always the J-thrust.

**edited because I was looking for the answer**
According to this http://www.enotes.com/nursing-encyclopedia/heimlich-maneuver and I don't know how "reputable" this website is, they are really the same thing.

The site uses good sources and their information is good, so I the j-thrust is the same thing but I am still unsure why the "name" change. That being said the dangers are still there and people receiving treatment for those untrained are at greater risk, but like Creepo said earlier what is a greater risk than death.

Thanks, I googled it too, and the only difference I could make out was that the Heimlich is just an inward push against the "in and up" of the J-thrust. I don't know if that is it though.

[SMI]

Thanks, I googled it too, and the only difference I could make out was that the Heimlich is just an inward push against the "in and up" of the J-thrust. I don't know if that is it though.


When I learned the Heimlich I was always told to go in and up, I always thought that was a Heimlich principle. I did read a long time ago that it should be used before CPR, especially in drowning victims to expel ingested water and open up the airways for CPR to be effective.

Definitely some stuff I need to brush up on. I took a course back in high school as our school mandated it but that was some time ago.

Good skills to have.