Choking Warning From Leeds Mum
Mum who saved her own son backs St John's Ambulance campaign
A lifesaving Leeds mum is backing a new campaign today – which has revealed fewer than half of parents here know what to do if their own child chokes. The figures have been released by St John’s Ambulance who also say that for more than 80% of mums and dads in the city choking is their number one first aid fear for the kids.** **The charity’s launched a new TV advert featuring the voices of David Walliams, David Mitchell, Johnny Vegas and actor Sir John Hurt.
The Chokeables campaign is also supported by Alwoodley Mum, Bev Sykes, who saved her 10-month-old son Samuel from choking on a bread roll at a wedding reception.
Fellow guests looked on aghast as Bev, at the time a children's nurse at Leeds General Infirmary, pulled Samuel out of his highchair, placed him face-down on her thigh and gave him three back blows causing the food to fly out.
Bev said, “He had picked the bread up himself from the table and we had our eye on him. He began making these odd gurgling noises and I expected him to cough it up. But he couldn’t clear it, so I grabbed him out of the chair, put him on my thigh and gave him the back blows. Everyone on the table and around us had begun to flap but I knew what to do.
“I was fully trained in first aid but had never saved a baby from choking before. It’s different with your own child and I was so relieved afterwards. We’ve always taken care to child-proof things so I never thought I’d be in that position. It just shows how first aid can be needed at any time anywhere."
St John Ambulance Regional Director Simon Dunn said, "Knowing what to do in an emergency can be the difference between life and death, especially with something like choking.
"We all know how time-pressed parents are, so this film makes it as easy as possible to learn first aid – in less than 40 seconds we can all know a skill that could save a life.
"Our hope is that people watch, enjoy and share the video with their friends and family, so more of us have the confidence to act in an emergency."
St John Ambulance has released new resources on its website to teach people life saving first aid skills: www.sja.org.uk/TheChokeables
St John’s Ambulance Advice on what to do if an infant chokes
If an infant is choking, lay them face down along your thigh, supported by your arm, and give them five back blows between the shoulder blades with your heel of your hand.
Check their mouth for any obstruction. If there is still a blockage then turn the infant onto their back and give up to five chest thrusts. Use two fingers, push inwards and upwards against their breastbone. If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and chest thrusts, call for an ambulance and continue until help arrives.