Posted in Lesson Plan Ideas

Let me set the scene for you...........................

We had been enjoying a quiet, leisurely evening meal at a nearby restaurant following a time of music ministry at a Christian coffeehouse a few hours from our home.  The drive is not too long but long enough that we needed to refuel for the trip home.  As we began to take the last few bites of our meal, my husband asked me to try a sampling of the various pancake syrups that had been adorning our table.  My daughter and our close friend started to chuckle at the sight of our "syrup tasting" and this chuckle soon turned into laughter as I took my second spoonful of blueberry syrup.  Their smiles soon brought a smile to my own face which then turned to laughter.  I had not yet swallowed the two spoonfuls of syrup and when I started to laugh I began to choke.

This was very, very different from the times that I accidentally choked on water or liquid.  Syrup is much more thick and it covered my airway almost completely.  I immediately began to gasp for breathe to no avail.  I rose from the table practically shoving my husband off the booth where we had been sitting.  I stood straight, still gasping for a breath and unable to speak.  The seconds began to grow very long and thoughts of being home with the Lord now started entering my mind because I was not getting any relief and nothing was coming out of my lungs.  I remember seeing several patrons staring in a somewhat fearful manner in my direction. 

My daughter was on the verge of sobbing, calling out to me as she could tell that I was in  BIG trouble.  I started to slump over and for some reason, I bent over almost touching my toes.  Almost immediately the syrup lost it's air tight grip over my air passage.  I started coughing and after a few more seconds I began to breath again.  I was shaking and my daughter said, "Mom!  Look at your hands! They are turning blue!" and when I looked down at them, sure enough they were starting to change a color. 

I am sharing this with you because if you are a mom who is constantly warning your children to be careful when they eat and to chew food properly, keep up the good work!  An accident like the above scenario can happen ALL TOO QUICKLY!

Do you know the proper steps to take to help save a choking victim?

If you're not sure PLEASE take a few minutes to follow the links that I have displayed in this post.  Educate your children on the importance of knowing what to do in an emergency situation.  Some people will slap the choking victim in the back area but this can do MORE HARM than good as a foreign object can became lodged even further.  There has been and still is some debate over whether or not to administer the The Heimlich Maneuver on a drowning victim.  It is recommended to perform CPR and if this fails to revive a drowning victim use 5 Heimlichs.
This website explains how to perform CPR on a child and this on an adult.  If you know the person is choking PERFORM the Heimlich Maneuver.  Work with gravity to allow a softer substance to flow away from the lungs.  In my case, I did not have the presence of mind to bend over.  I still believe an angel gently tilted my body over.  My poor husband and daughter had been too shaken to even realize what to do or how to advise me to get my breathe back.  What I am saying at this point is, it is best to prepare for an emergency ahead of time.  Train your children and yourself in the important life saving steps to take in an emergency!

Till Next Time....

In His Love,

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Comments

Posted by crazybusy

Oh my goodness, how scary! I'm glad you're okay! I bet your family's nerves are a bit shaken.
And thanks for the reminder!

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Posted by drewsfamilytx

That is so scary, Cathy! Especially with your hands turning blue!

We had a scary incident at a restaurant a few months back. My now 2yo was choking on a piece of candy. We tried the heimlich but it took quite a while to work...in the meantime, he was gasping and puking in my hands. The sad thing is that my husband and I were frantically trying to dislodge this from his throat and not a single patron or waiter even NOTICED! But I am so very thankful for God's grace in getting it out of his throat! It was definitely scary. Never thought of it happening with syrup.

Thanks for the info and link-- I have re-read the site and feel a lot more confident about it. I wouldn't have thought to lay him down on the floor.

I'm so glad you're well, my friend!!!

Love,
Marsha

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Posted by creativehsmom

Marsha, I wanted to clarify that when I was bent over, I was not horizontal on the floor but still standing and bent completely in the opposite direction (vertical) in the way that I could see my feet as I was only inches away from them. This caused gravity to work for and not against me, in a toe touching position.
Love, Cathy =o)

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Posted by NatureGirl

for sparing your life! I do believe God sends angels to help us in times of great need.
I will defininitely brush up on my heimlich knowledge today and include my children in this too. There must be a reason I read your blog today, because for the last several weeks the idea of a child of mine choking has come to mind a LOT. This just reinforces the nudge I've been getting to follow through.
And no more syrup for you! ;)
Love, Jen/Jammie at heartmatters

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Posted by HeidiHomeschools

Glad your story has a happy ending.
Thanks for sharing and making us aware.

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Posted by Fiffi

Hi Cathy
That is shocking what happened to you! Praise Jesus all is well! It must have been the Holy Spirit that encouraged you to bend over!
Love
Fiffi

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Posted by quietcajun

That is really scary. I am so glad you are alright! Thanks for sharing the information! It could save someone's life!

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Posted by AcceptanceWithJoy

Cathy,

I am so glad you are okay. That must have been such a scary time! I don't know if it is true in all states, but when I was teaching CPR in Texas, I know that every eating establishment was required to have directions for the Heimlich Manuever posted in the eating area of the restaurant.

Additionally, CPR certification for the layperson is a wonderful class for everyone to have.

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Posted by DanielleW

Oh my! I was almost in tears reading this. Praise God that you are alright. What a scary thing!

Thank you also for the remind of First Aid.

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Posted by Kathy

Praising the Lord that you are okay.

I have been having problems with reflux at night and it has gotten so bad a couple of times that I have woken up literally choking. Very scary!

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Posted by CommunicationFUNdamentals

How awful that must have felt! So glad you are ok. My son used to forget to chew and swalllow when he was younger. He would often seem as if he were choking. I used to sit by him to remind him to chew and swallow before opening his mouth to speak when he was so interested in his surroundings.

JoJo

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Posted by BunnyBear

I'm a nurse, but thanks for the reminder about teaching your children about what to do in an emergency.

Praise God you are ok, very scarey.

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