Your local source for American Heart Assoc. CPR Certification

Several weeks ago my partner and I responded to an eight month old baby actively choking. In my experience, nine times out of ten, either the patient is able to clear their airway prior to our arrival or they were never really choking in the first place - merely coughing after food attempted to "go down the wrong pipe."

This particular residence was within 3 miles of the station, so our response time was minimal. Upon arrival we were met at the door by a very emotional mother holding her eight month old child in her arms. The child did not appear to be in any distress, but according to the mother, things were very different just a couple minutes prior. Mom told us she had been feeding her son a thick cereal mix when suddenly her baby began to choke. The child continued to struggle and soon his pink color began to turn blue, indicating that his airway was probably completely blocked. "I called 9-1-1 because my baby was choking and I had no idea what to do," the mother told us. Fortunately, the child's own protective mechanisms were able to clear the food from his airway just prior to our arrival. 

 After breathing a sigh of relief, I took advantage of an opportune moment to teach this new mother the techniques for relieving infant choking. I showed her how to support the baby while delivering 5 back thrusts followed by 5 chest compressions. I have taught many classes on this topic, but never have I had a more attentive student than this mother who was now convinced of the importance of knowing such a vital skill. 

Thank God for giving us, even as infants, the ability to "save" ourselves in an event such as this, but when those efforts fail, we, as parents, teachers and citizens must know what to do when every second counts.