I used to be lifeguard...

but it's different when it's your own child...

Sunday evening C & E were setting up a board game while I finished dishes.

I heard E coughing in the other room.

It quickly turned to gaging.

I left the dishes to find E barely breathing.

And, then it turned into only one tiny gasp of air every few seconds.

My husband ran into the room and grabbed the phone to call 911 while I attempted to do the

Heimlich Maneuver for a Child. I thought I was doing it just right, but it didn't seem to be working very well.

I just couldn't seem to get a good thrust.

That's when I realized that my gigantic belly was in the way! Duh! I had completely forgotten that I was pregnant.

I switched with my husband who said 911 was not answering???

I tried calling and got a recorded message???

My husband's attempt at the Heimlich finally dislodged the small chess piece that was causing the choking, along with some blood.

Don't ask me where it came from. I can't even remember how to play chess.

E seemed to recover quickly, with just a sore throat for about a day.

I think the chess piece must have cut his throat a little.

So, this got me thinking about 2 things:
1) What would I have done if 911 never did pick up?
And
2) What would I have done if E ended up passing out because of the lack of air?

I searched around and thought I would share the answers with you. These are things that every parent should try to be prepared for.

1) I decided to ALWAYS have the Fire Dept. and the Sheriff's Office phone #s on the refrigerator and in my cell phone.

2) Know the Heimlich & CPR. Like I said, I used to be a lifeguard and have been a swim instructor for years. But, if you don't keep current, you forget. And, I found out that the recommended guidelines have changed a bit over the years.

Sometimes I wonder how kids survive to adulthood!

One more thing I found out:

 the #1 choking hazard for children (after food) is

balloons!