A Choking Incident

A few days ago, someone incredibly close to me, who would like to remain anonymous, choked on a biscuit and nearly died in front of mine and my family’s eyes.

It was the single most horrific experience of my life. I’ve never seen someone struggle to breathe for such a long period of time. It was traumatic but we are so grateful for the positive outcome. It could have been so different.

My children, Oliver, 11, and Alexander, 9, and my husband, Peter, were present, and together we are collectively trying to process the experience.

It breaks my heart that my boys witnessed the incident but we’ve discussed what happened and I’ve emphasised it isn’t a common occurence and will hopefully never happen again focusing on the importance of being trained in first aid and acting quickly to help others in danger.

My close friend Dr Juliet McGrattan, and the doctors who treated the patient in hospital afterwards, said I’d saved this person’s life.

I am forever indebited to Daisy First Aid who kindly provided me with two first aid courses treating babies, children and adults, over the years. It is 100% down to this training that I knew what to do when tragedy struck.

Juliet also said that the adrenalin rush I’d experienced whilst almost 28 weeks pregnant (I felt like I might collapse after and once the person started breathing again) was the equivalent of running a marathon and that rest is in order now, so I’m taking the doctor’s orders and napping lots.

Deepest thanks to Juliet for her friendship and support, the NHS/ Wexham Hospital who cared for the patient, and everyone who reached out on social media to bravely share their own experiences, and for their touching words.

Hold your loved ones tightly and please don’t put off a first aid course x