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By Sarah Mitchell
Updated: Dec. 22, 2020
Originally Published: Aug. 8, 2018
As a fellow parent, I feel compelled to share a crucial message: if you haven’t taken a CPR or First Aid course recently, I urge you to make it a priority. For those with young children, this becomes even more pressing. If you have older kids, consider bringing them along to the class.
From the age of 15, I’ve worked as a lifeguard, trained as an instructor, and consistently participated in CPR and First Aid courses throughout my life. I have experience as a first responder, and I typically feel prepared for emergencies. However, nothing could prepare me for the panic of seeing my own child in distress.
Just last night, during dinner at home while my partner was away, my child began to choke. Fortunately, she is okay, but it was a serious situation. This was not just a case of coughing or something being momentarily lodged in her throat. She was truly choking.
Seated at the table, I watched as she coughed once and then emitted a high-pitched sound known as stridor, followed by silence. Her eyes widened in fear as she struggled to breathe. I instinctively knew what to do, but when it’s your own child, everything feels different.
In her attempt to get to my side of the table, she fell off her chair. I rushed to her side as she clutched her neck — the universal sign of choking, even for a five-year-old. I struck her back and urged her to cough, but she shook her head in fear, unable to do so.
I quickly got down on my knees and attempted the Heimlich maneuver specifically for children, but it was ineffective. The feeling of squeezing my daughter without success was terrifying. Thankfully, being petite allowed me to hold her like a baby and deliver back blows while her head faced downward. After four firm strikes, several pieces of food dislodged.
Let that sink in. I had to perform the Heimlich maneuver on my child, and it failed. I then had to give her back blows to clear her airway. It’s a chilling realization that I was actively trying to save my child’s life. If I hadn’t known what to do, I dread to think of the outcome.
Statistics from the New York State Department of Health highlight that choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional death in kids under five years old, with food being the most common culprit. My child is just 4.5 years old, and while her food was cut into small pieces, I never considered the risks as we chatted over dinner. The grim reality is that at least one child dies from choking on food every five days in the U.S., and more than 12,000 children visit emergency rooms annually for choking-related injuries.
These statistics now play on repeat in my mind. I feel more strongly than ever that anyone with children — and really, everyone — should take a CPR and First Aid class. While online courses exist, nothing compares to the hands-on experience of performing chest compressions, back blows, and the Heimlich maneuver. Even if you’ve practiced on mannequins, it doesn’t replicate the real feeling of saving someone’s life. It becomes even more profound when it involves your child.
Despite remaining calm during the ordeal, this experience shook me to my core. Afterward, we shared a flood of tears, embraced, and I checked on her throughout the night. I hardly slept, keeping a watchful eye on her as she rested fitfully. Thankfully, she was back to her usual self by morning, and I suspect she’ll be more cautious while eating in the future. Yet, she was merely enjoying her meal when this happened.
If I hadn’t been prepared, I shudder to think about how different this story might be. For anyone looking to equip themselves with life-saving skills, consider checking out the American Red Cross or The American Heart Association or your local Fire Department for CPR and First Aid classes.
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Summary:
A recent choking incident with my young child served as a stark reminder of the importance of CPR and First Aid training. Despite my extensive background in lifeguarding and first response, the panic I felt was overwhelming when it came to my own child. Thankfully, I knew what to do, but this experience reinforced the need for all parents to be prepared. I urge everyone with children to seek out training—it’s crucial for their safety.
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