Youth Center employee saves life

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  A Youth Center cook saved the life of a child care consultant Sept. 9 by using the Heimlich maneuver when the consultant began to choke on a carrot.

Terry Hutchinson, 436th Force Support Squadron Youth Center cook, noticed Steve James, Youth Behavior consultant, was in distress. Ms. Hutchinson asked if Mr. James was choking, when he indicated he was, she began first aid.

"The first thought in my mind was that I couldn't breathe," said Mr. James. "It was frightening; I stood up and held my neck to show Ms. Hutchinson I was choking. She responded quickly, and after a few attempts she managed to get the carrot I was choking on to dislodge. When it cleared, I felt so relieved."

Mr. James often spends snack-time with the children of the Child Development Center and Youth Center, he said. He strikes up a conversation with them about how school is going or how they are that day, to gauge their well-being.

"When it was over one girl asked me if I was showing the class what not to do," said Mr. James. "Another girl told me that was the first time she'd seen anyone choke in real life. We tell the children all the time that you should chew your food thoroughly, not put too much in your mouth or talk while eating. I suppose I didn't listen to my own advice."

Ms. Hutchinson is trained in both first aid and CPR, and she said she was glad that she had the training.

"It happened so quickly, one moment he was fine, the next he was white in the face and his lips were blue," Ms. Hutchinson said. "He was trying to cough and he couldn't, so after asking if he was ok and seeing that he wasn't I was with him in about half a second. I had hoped I'd never have to use my training, but I'm really glad that I had it. I think we all learned a valuable lesson that day - chew your food thoroughly before you talk."