Today I saved a woman’s life. So no shit there I was, enjoying a high dollar business dinner on a supplier’s dime, when I noticed a man trying to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on a choking woman. It didn’t seem to be working and I watched her go completely limp.
No one else in the restaurant was doing anything besides doing their best to pretend that a woman wasn’t dying right in front of them. I made a few uncertain starts and stops before I realized no one was coming to help. I have the most basic of CPR and first aid training and besides dislodging a bead from my infant daughter’s throat, I’ve never used it before.
I jumped up and told the man I was first aid/CPR certified and asked if I could help. He just looked at me with horror and fear in his eyes and mutely nodded while he held his dying wife in his arms. I asked him to lay her flat on the ground then very rudely shoved/asked a man sitting at the table directly next to them to move out of the way. Management said EMS was on the way.
I got her on her back, tipped back her head, and tried to establish an open airway. No dice. Her face was grey, her lips were blue, and she wasn't there. I swept her mouth, probably one of the vilest things I’ve done in my entire life, and pulled out small chunks and shreds of meat. She instantly started making a gurgling sound so I quickly rolled her onto her side in case she vomited and she started coughing and taking little gurgling breaths.
I asked for a napkin, it was instantly thrust in my hand, and I started clearing her face and her mouth, getting the rest of the meat off and out of her. I started talking to her, telling her she was ok, I was here to help, and she was going to be fine. She started croaking out some words...I smoothed her hair back and gently rubbed back, she spoke more clearly...she was so embarrassed.
I almost started crying right then and there. She was breathing, she was back, and she was self aware enough to realize what was happening! I got my coat handed over to me and made her a pillow to keep her comfortable while we waited for EMS to arrive. I chatted with her, introduced myself, and just kept her breathing and talking and distracted.
EMS arrived and I backed away. Once they had her up on the gurney I went over and told her I was so thankful she was going to be ok. I gave the EMS staff a full report of the situation and then excused myself from the dinner to wash my hands and step outside to call my husband and get some nicotine.
I’m still high as a kite right now. I’m shaking, I can’t sleep, and I’m just so damn thankful I stepped out of my timid comfort zone and took the steps necessary to save her life. No one else was doing anything, they were all just sitting there ignoring that woman dying as they ate, drank, and laughed.
So today I saved a life. I hope I never have to do it again.
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