Dear TLS,
Last night, my one year old son was in his high chair eating pizza for supper.
Suddenly, his face started turning red and I saw he was choking! I tried doing the finger sweep but nothing came out. I grabbed him from the high chair, flipped him forward and gave him five back blows. Nothing.
I started the Heimlich. Still nothing.
I was home alone with my kids, no other adult was in the house.
I yelled at my 9 year old daughter to get the phone to call hatzalah. I continued blows and compressions. My son started crying a funny cry. BH, the obstruction went from a total obstruction to a partial obstruction. I could hear the obstruction in the way he was crying.
I called hatzalah and they were there in 30 seconds flat. They took him from me and continued blows and compressions but the obstruction would not come out. After working on him for a bit, BH BH the piece passed his airway and went down. It never came out.
Hatzalah brought him to Jersey Shore where he was observed for a bit and sent home.
Baruch Hashem our story had a happy ending. Likely because Hashem gave me the presence of mind to remember what to do when faced with the scenario.
I can’t stress enough the importance of all parents, babysitters and siblings that are old enough being familiar with what to do in a case like this.
In addition, it’s so important for any child to know Hatzalah’s number along with their correct address. When a life is in danger, every second counts.
A tremendous thank you to Hatzalah for going above and beyond as usual. And of course, boundless thanks to Hakadosh Baruch Hu for saving my son’s life.
S.G.
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Thank you for sharing this important story.
Thank you Hashem for a happy ending.
BH what Nes
If you can’t visually see the obstruction in his mouth, you should not do a finger sweep. Totally agree, everyone should know basic CPR and Heimlich Maneuver.
Correct. One should not do a blind finger sweep.
I offer free CpR / first aid courses for men and women ( in separate courses).There is no charge for the course. If you organize a minimum of 20 adults I will come to teach the course at no cost. Organize it in your neighborhood so everyone can walk there and not have to deal with the traffic and I will drive to wherever it is to get started on time I can be reached at 908-670-7091 by phone or text. Chaim kaisman
wow good guy nice
Tizku l’mitzvos!
Woww! I’d like to take you up on it, number posted was wrong number. Can you provide updated content information?
The number posted for the CPR course is 908-670-1791. The number I wrote earlier is incorrect so please ignore it. As I wrote the courses are given for either men or women at no charge. As long as you have a place in your neighborhood I will come to you so no traveling is involved on your part