It's not every day you see someone choking.
It looks nothing like the movies.They don't hold their neck and make a lot of noise.
It's easy to miss.
Today I was feeding the residents in the dementia unit when, it happened.
Sweet Marilyn was choking and I was the only one in the room.
Her saltwater blue eyes rolled in the back of her head and she leaned back in her wheelchair.
She wasn't breathing.
Panic mode set in and I sprinted down the hall looking for someone, anyone to help.
"Help! Help! Marilyn is choking!" I shouted, my adrenaline was really pumping now.
Sadly it was a ghost town - I couldn't find anyone.
I didn't want her to die.
This wasn't my job! I wasn't trained in "abdominal thrusts in a wheelchair," I thought to myself as I sprinted to back to the dining room. I was only gone for a few seconds but it seemed like forever.
Marilyn's lips were turning blue.
Without thinking I leaned her forward in her wheelchair and thrust the heel of my hand hard into her back. Over, and over again until she spontaneously spewed banana pudding all across the nearby residents. Then she threw up on me. I have never been so happy to see vomit, because she was breathing again. After a coughing fit, color came back to her cheeks and she was talking within minutes. The nurse staff and CNAs magically appeared and looked relieved that I was able to help her. I hope no one has to go through that kind of experience, but if you do, be prepared.
Signs of choking:
- Person is not able to talk
- The person isn't coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
