Update: Tues. April 9.
Since writing this story yesterday I received an email from Peter Heimlich, the son of the man credited with the maneuver.
He wrote, "Based on my experience, many people (including medical professionals) are unaware that in 2011 the Canadian Red Cross quietly downgraded my dad's namesake anti-choking maneuver to a secondary treatment for responding to a choking emergency.
"'Quietly' because, although it was a significant change to CRC first aid guidelines, the organization chose not to issue a press release so that people in your business could inform the public. At the time I blogged this related item https://www.the-sidebar.com/
The procedure now calls initially for back blows to be used before resorting to the Heimlich maneuver.
See the new guidelines here.
-----
Original story:
What started as a routine afternoon for 42-year-old Joel Ingram of North Bay, turned into an "interesting day" and a heroic effort to save a life.
Ingram is the Director, Residence Operations for Canadore College.
He was on his way to a dental appointment, after dropping off some dry cleaning, just after two o'clock this afternoon and was stuck in traffic behind a red light at the intersection of Algonquin and Highway 11.
While waiting, something strange happened...a woman in front stumbled from her truck clutching her throat like she was going to throw up.
Joel picks up the story.
"She was dry heaving and turning red in the face, then she looks at me and points to her mouth and gasps 'I'm choking.' She looked panicked. So I put my truck in park and jumped out and gave her the Heimlich four times and a chunk of food (muffin) came flying out.
"She swallowed and looked at me, gave me a quick hug and said 'thank you' then the light turned green and we jumped in our cars and drove off.
"It was really strange. I went to my dentist appointment and I was like, 'I think I just saved someone's life.' It was interesting, that's for sure."
The two didn't have time to exchange names.
"You know that corner is pretty crazy and busy. Some people honked and waved and we went on our way. It was surreal. I'm not gonna lie, I didn't expect that on my way to a dentist appointment."
That quick action doesn't surprise his co-worker Robyn Glassier.
"We work in Student Services and we all have first aid. He's a really great boss and it's not surprising he was able to help someone in need today. He's a really sweet guy."
It might come in handy one day. Here's how to do the Heimlich maneuver.
