Heimlich or Bust

Those who know me well, know that I love to eat.

I also love to talk. A lot.

And quite often, I talk while I am eating. (Sorry, mom).

Yes, as a grown adult, and like many of you all, I talk with my mouth full of food and as a result, I recently had to experience its consequence. I choked. Bad.

Now, the Heimlich maneuver, hopefully you’ve never had to witness or experience it for yourselves, is definitely not as glamourous as they make it on TV. On the screen, you see someone grab their throat, and point to their face with their eyes bulging. Then some good-looking guy jumps out from behind the curtains and heroically preforms the maneuver with graceful ease (unless you are watching a comedy, in which case silverware is flying and tables are breaking all over the place). Voilá! The chicken bone, or whatever, is then dislodged and flies through the air in slow-motion. The person who is choking then hugs their savior and the guests in the restaurant clap approvingly. This wasn’t exactly how it all went down with me.

For me, it was a terrifying experience, and I wouldn’t wish it on my dearest enemy (not like I have any… cause I love you all!)

Ok, the story: I was sitting at the computer, eating (probably strike #1). I don’t remember what the meal was exactly, but I know it wasn’t a big piece of meat or a bone or anything. I believe it was ground beef and rice… and it was dry… and I had no water near me… and I was hunched over the computer… of course, talking.

I swallowed, but the food didn’t go down. It stayed in my throat. It wouldn’t come up either, therefore, my airways were suddenly closed. I don’t know if this is typical of the choking sensation, but when your throat is closed, you have trouble breathing through your nose too. I couldn’t breathe at all, or shout for help. Not even let out a wimper.

I started banging on the computer desk and then jumping around frantically. My eyes started to water and seconds passed and I was not breathing. Then, a good-looking guy DID come to my rescue… my boyfriend, thank the good Lord he was just in the other room.

“Babe!”

“Are you choking!?”

“Do you need the Heimlich maneuver preformed on you!?”

Ok, just so you know… when you are choking… like really choking, you can’t really answer anybody’s questions. You are useless. I couldn’t shake my head YES or NO. I was too busy gasping for air. If someone doesn’t answer you, then you probably got to get to work.

My dude jumped into action! (Probably a little terrified and also probably a little excited that he could finally put his high school survival training to good use).

He put his arms around me, then he put a fist in between my breast bone and my navel and grabbed his wrist with the other hand to apply pressure. Then, he made quick upward thrusts which lifted me up off the ground a bit.

It was a horrible process and even hurt a little bit, but it distracted me enough to calm down and little pieces of rice started to come loose from my esophagus. A bit of water and some tears later, I was saved. It was terrifying. And I even had bruises on my belly later, but it was necessary.

It got me thinking, how many people actually know the proper way to perform the Heimlich? How many of you would have been able to save my life or someone you see choking in a restaurant? It’s not hard to perform, and it could actually save someone’s  life.

Check out this WikiHow video and see how easy  it is to save a life.

Have you or someone you know had to do the Heimlich or even CPR on someone? What was the experience like? Let me know in the comments section below!