Yes or no?

[Blownupdolly]

Went to Lakeside shopping today. We decided to have lunch at Wagamammas. We sat outside where they have long bench seats for customers to sit on. As I was in my wheelchair I placed right at one end of the table. To my right was a family with a young lad about ten yrs old. As we were tucking in, I suddenly noticed the boy gagging violently. He was choking. He had swallowed a large long slice of beef. He tried everything, coughing, even put his hand down his own throat. Hebert over and I was getting really scared as his eyes started bulging and his face was bright red.
I looked across at Mr Dolly. Him being a nurse I was confused as to why he hadn't run round to help him. The whole restaurant was watching by this time. Suddenly he dislodged it and the offending bit of beef shot across the table, much to everyone's relief. Staff looked after him well, gave him a drink and his dad mopped his tears. Poor thing was terrified.

After they left, I asked Mr Dolly why he didn't intervine? He has told me he was watching very closely and could see he was managing to get a small amount of air in and out. He then said that doing the Heimlich manoeuvre is always the last resort. I argued that it had been decided somewhere that this manoeuvre thing was considered too dangerous to be done safely by most people so shouldn't be advised as an aid to choking. He said the opposite!!

Did a quick google and can't find the answer. So, anyone know the answer? Is it right or wrong?

Here is a link showing what it is for those who don't know

www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2301.aspx

[Deleted]

Did he go back for the beef ?

[Blownupdolly]

Jul 20, 2013 18:12:30 GMT @ashmal said:

Did he go back for the beef ?

No!! Poor sod put himself AND everyone else of their food! I wasted half a bowl of Tom Yum Noodles. Of course, puffingbilly finished it off!

[OneDay]

I always thought Wagammammaa was a bit of a mouthful

[digicig]

The Heimlich maneuver should not be performed on someone who is breathing. If they can talk, they don’t need the Heimlich. Instead, encourage them to cough.

[Blownupdolly]

Jul 20, 2013 18:45:55 GMT digicig said:

The Heimlich maneuver should not be performed on someone who is breathing. If they can talk, they don’t need the Heimlich. Instead, encourage them to cough.

He most definitely couldn't talk, and I would dispute he was breathing throughout most of it but OH could see better than me.

[digicig]

That's the advice i was given pretty much on me 1st Aid course a few years back - only use on the unconscious and as a last resort on the conscious

Mind thee - they said that about most of it TBH

[kibbster]

Jul 20, 2013 18:09:00 GMT Blownupdolly said:

Went to Lakeside shopping today. We decided to have lunch at Wagamammas. We sat outside where they have long bench seats for customers to sit on. As I was in my wheelchair I placed right at one end of the table. To my right was a family with a young lad about ten yrs old. As we were tucking in, I suddenly noticed the boy gagging violently. He was choking. He had swallowed a large long slice of beef. He tried everything, coughing, even put his hand down his own throat. Hebert over and I was getting really scared as his eyes started bulging and his face was bright red.
I looked across at Mr Dolly. Him being a nurse I was confused as to why he hadn't run round to help him. The whole restaurant was watching by this time. Suddenly he dislodged it and the offending bit of beef shot across the table, much to everyone's relief. Staff looked after him well, gave him a drink and his dad mopped his tears. Poor thing was terrified.

After they left, I asked Mr Dolly why he didn't intervine? He has told me he was watching very closely and could see he was managing to get a small amount of air in and out. He then said that doing the Heimlich manoeuvre is always the last resort. I argued that it had been decided somewhere that this manoeuvre thing was considered too dangerous to be done safely by most people so shouldn't be advised as an aid to choking. He said the opposite!!

Did a quick google and can't find the answer. So, anyone know the answer? Is it right or wrong?

Here is a link showing what it is for those who don't know

www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2301.aspx

Abdominal thrusts as I believe they are called now are not to be trifled with, you are very likely to get liver damage and and have to go to hospital afterwards to be checked out.
Your husband was absolutely right to wait.
Obviously if the old back slapping doesn't work then the choice between liver damage and death isn't much of a choice.

[Karma]

Blownupdolly your husband would also have been thinking about the consequences had he intervened and it had still gone pear shaped. We live in a blame culture now, unfortunately

[fred]

Jul 20, 2013 19:19:29 GMT Karma said:

Blownupdolly your husband would also have been thinking about the consequences had he intervened and it had still gone pear shaped. We live in a blame culture now, unfortunately

Exactly my thoughts, Karma.

Mrs fred is fully trained in first aid, and has been categorically been told by the union, not to implement any first aid, due to today's culture of sueing.


I'd have picked him up by the ankles and given him a good shake   

[Blownupdolly]

Jul 20, 2013 19:19:29 GMT Karma said:

Blownupdolly your husband would also have been thinking about the consequences had he intervened and it had still gone pear shaped. We live in a blame culture now, unfortunately

You are spot on K. He actually said that on the drive home. He reckons his nursing registration could have been at stake.

[kibbster]

Jul 20, 2013 19:26:00 GMT fred said:

Jul 20, 2013 19:19:29 GMT Karma said:

Blownupdolly your husband would also have been thinking about the consequences had he intervened and it had still gone pear shaped. We live in a blame culture now, unfortunately

Exactly my thoughts, Karma.

Mrs fred is fully trained in first aid, and has been categorically been told by the union, not to implement any first aid, due to today's culture of sueing.


I'd have picked him up by the ankles and given him a good shake   

I'm the first aider for my work so I don't have much choice
tbh though given the choice between serious complications/ dying or given someone first aid I don't know many people that could watch someone suffer without helping.
If the person tries to sue you afterwards then as long as you did your best and didn't do anything stupid to endanger anyone's life or cause more damage you won't get sued successfully.

[Karma]

My first aid training for work is - phone 999

[Blownupdolly]

Jul 20, 2013 19:26:00 GMT fred said:

Jul 20, 2013 19:19:29 GMT Karma said:

Blownupdolly your husband would also have been thinking about the consequences had he intervened and it had still gone pear shaped. We live in a blame culture now, unfortunately

Exactly my thoughts, Karma.

Mrs fred is fully trained in first aid, and has been categorically been told by the union, not to implement any first aid, due to today's culture of sueing.


I'd have picked him up by the ankles and given him a good shake   

Sad inditement of our society these days isn't it? Teach someone to help saves lives, but advise not to do so in case you get in trouble for it afterwards.

[phiant101]

Your hubby did exactly the right thing by keeping an eye on the situation, he showed a lot of calm IMO, deserves a pat on the back (pardon the pun) - if the casualty is breathing, making choking sounds etc. things normally sort themselves out. If they are making no sound (not making effective breaths) then the next step is to perform back slaps. If this has no success after 3 blows then as a last resort you perform abdominal thrusts. (I'm a nurse too )