Valiant action saves co-worker from choking

  • Published
  • By Maj. John Ryan
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  In the office of the 71st Comptroller-Contractor Squadron on Dec. 5, an accounting technician was saved from choking by a co-worker. 

Ms. Rose Palacios was working calmly at her desk when she began to choke on a piece of candy. "At first I thought I could just cough it up out of my throat. That didn't work," said Ms. Palcios. "By this time I was turning blue in the face." 

Ms. Palacios staggered from her desk, panicking. She was unable respond to the inquiries from those around her because she could neither speak nor breathe. "I've heard about people choking, and I've seen stories on TV, but I could never imagine what it really feels like. It was the scariest moment I have ever experienced," she said. 

Fortunately, Mr. David Gindlesberger took action. Jumping up from his seat, Mr. Gindlesberger ran behind Ms. Palacios and performed the Heimlich maneuver. The candy dislodged and flew out of Ms. Palacios' throat and she was able to breathe again. 

Mr. Gindlesberger works as a civilian after retiring from a 22-year active duty military career in Security Forces. He is currently a financial analyst in the 71st C-CS, but attributes his reaction to the situation to his active duty training. 

"I knew how to perform the Heimlich maneuver from all my prior military first-aid training," he said. "This is why the military does so much training -- you'll react quickly and remember what to do." 

Five other co-workers witnessed Mr. Gindlesberger coming to Ms. Palacios' aid.

"David is a very humble person and doesn't think his actions were a big deal," said 2nd Lt. Tara Nelson, a Financial Services officer. "It is a big deal to save someone's life, and he should be highly commended for his actions." 

Every year about 3,000 adults die due to accidentally inhaling their food. The food becomes lodged in the trachea, making breathing impossible. 

If you are helping someone who is choking, stand behind the victim and wrap your arms around the person. Place your fist with the thumb against the victim's upper abdomen, above the navel but below the ribs and breastbone.

Clasp the other hand over the fist. Push your fist forcefully into the abdomen with a quick upward and inward thrust. This pushes air from the lungs up into the windpipe to dislodge the foreign object. Repeat several times if necessary. 

If you choke while alone, perform the thrusts on yourself. Or you can force the edge of a chair or railing into your abdomen to push air from your lungs into your windpipe. 

Knowing how to extricate food from the windpipe, either when assisting someone or if you choke while alone, is invaluable. 

"I'm very thankful Dave was there to help me and that he knew what to do, otherwise I probably wouldn't be here now," Ms. Palacios said. "It also made me realize how important it is to know what to do in the event that someone is choking. It's literally the difference between life and death for that person."