Then call emergency services, don’t go to youtube.
Comment on Watching ads while grandma is choking on a fish bone
over_clox@lemmy.world 8 months agoEven if someone already knows how to do the Heimlich Maneuver, is that really going to be effective when someone is choking on a fish bone that’s almost certainly sharp and stuck in there?
derf82@lemmy.world 8 months ago
wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world 8 months ago
“your call is very important to us. we are experiencing higher than normal call volumes. please stay on the line.”
Actually almost a true transcript for what you get when you call 911 in my metropolis and surrounding areas (I’ve called for family members several times). Then once you finally connect to someone and ems shows up, they can be completely braindead workers; a few years ago I correctly identified that I was having a stroke, got help, they called 911, ems came, and refused to transport for over 10 minutes (so I’ve been told by family) after arrival. I’m now permanently disabled with severe physical, cognitive, and vision losses because literally time is the most important factor. Emergency services can be actually worse than useless.
It would not surprise me in the slightest if they arrive just to say “do we actually know if she is choking? maybe she’s just faking for attention.” or some equally useless conclusion.
over_clox@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I’m not saying YT is the best option, nor am I saying it’s the worst. But in such situations, sometimes it’s easier to visually see what to do than to have someone try talking you through it over the phone. Not like an ambulance is gonna magically appear in 30 seconds ya know.
Besides, what’s the 911 operator gonna tell you that’ll help in a pinch? "
911: Have you tried the Heimlich Maneuver?
Me: Yes but it’s a sharp bone and it’s stuck!
911: Do you have any needle nose pliers? Try to reach in and grab it. We’ll send an ambulance, but it’ll be about 20 minutes before they arrive…
While Grandma is over there turning blue.
derf82@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I’d rather be talked through it by a 911 operator than have to wait until after the sponsor and bending told to like and subscribe.
over_clox@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Indeed, I totally agree.
Zagorath@aussie.zone 8 months ago
Even if someone already knows how to do the Heimlich Maneuver
FWIW, abdominal thrusts are not recommended for choking due to considerable evidence that it can cause harm. “Abdominal thrusts” is the more formal term for what’s sometimes called the Heimlich Manoeuvre. Use chest thrusts instead.
geekworking@lemmy.world 8 months ago
A fine fish bone is also not big enough to block the airway by itself. Heimlich can clear enough of whatever is stuck with the bone to at least partially open the airway.
over_clox@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I guess you do have a point there, would have to be a larger fish bone to totally block the airway.
My roommate suggested to eat a piece of bread to help it go down. I dunno, seems like that should work, but if it didn’t then that seems like it would make matters worse.
strawberrysocial@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I got a fish bone stuck in my throat when I was a kid. My mother tried pulling it out with her fingers, tried pliers, and when that wasn’t working, she then called the hospital (back when you were allowed to do that, now we have to call Telehealth). The person who she spoke to told her to make some well done toast and have me eat it. Worked perfectly. The toast, once chewed, wraps around the bone and gums it up so it passes through your digestive system.