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Home > Blogs > Adventures in Motherhood > Archives > 2008 > December > 30 > Entry
How I saved my son from choking
Unfunny Parenting Moment No. 492: During a recent visit with the in-laws, my 3-year-old, sucking on his third strawberry disc of the day, was walking through the room, did a stutter step and gasped for air. Or more like struggled for air, since he couldn’t even gasp at that point.
I leapt toward him, asked “Are you choking?” and gave him three hard raps on the back before anyone else in the room knew what was happening. Thank the good Lord above, out popped the red glistening candy, and my son started breathing again.
Funny Parenting Moment No. 7,846: As the rest of the family stared at us agog, amazed at how quickly the emergency was resolved, but awed by what could have transpired, I turned to our first-time pregnant niece and deadpanned the semi-joking warning: “Watch and learn.”
Choking hazards abound, especially during the holidays. Hard candies, pretty ornaments, popcorn balls: They all look pretty dang irresistible to a toddler. Add to that bouncy balls, shiny quarters, hot dogs, grapes, marbles and beads. Believe me, kids want to shove it all in their mouths.
Regardless of our high level of vigilance, our family has had its share of near-chokings:
— A friend once recommended a frozen bagel for our teething infant. A finger sweep is all that saved him.
— My nephew once saved my son — who choked while laughing hysterically at “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and chewing on a large wad of gum at the same time (not recommended). He used the Heimlich Maneuver he had seen in a video during health class.
— A chick-a-dee Pez from an Easter basket nearly killed my eldest son when he was about 5 years old. (There was blood and panic involved. Don’t ask.)
All I can say is, never let your guard down. Take a CPR course from your local Red Cross chapter, preferably when you find out you’re pregnant. And always be prepared to act fast.
Here are a few links on how to handle the situation:
— Learn how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver and other CPR methods.
— YouTube has many videos on the topic, natch. This one is from the British Red Cross.
— Lifesaving tips from the University of Oklahoma police can be found here.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Helpful tips
Comments
By Andrea
January 20, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this
Nice to see how I am being referenced for your parenting tip demonstration! Hopefully my parenting woes don’t make it in your blogs in the future! :)
By ana
January 18, 2009 4:55 PM | Link to this
The last half of your “funny moment” was not all that funny, Lucy! Yes, it’s amazing how many children actually do make it through the first few anything and everything in the mouth phase. when I was a teenager, my mom almost choked to death on a similar candy disk, she just accidentally swallowed and it lodged perfectly in her esophagus. She could wheeze slightly. We had to call an ambulance, and they gave her something to drink that made it dissolve. I’m glad you all made it through with your sense of humor still intact. ana