I May NEED Your Help… Will You Be Ready?

If you haven’t yet been certified in CPR and First Aid, I would highly suggest you do.  You could save the life of someone you Love, or be the hero to someone you meet.

If you saw a complete stranger choking… what would you do? What could you do? Are you certified and trained to help save lives? Even if you’re not certified, would you lend aid?  Questions I never gave much thought to, until recently-

My wife and I were visiting a Mongolian BBQ restaurant we enjoy the other day. There was a small group of people there when we were visiting. A cook, a cashier, a busboy, and several patrons were bustling about.  I was in the line preparing my lunch and my wife was waiting for hers to be cooked when she noticed a young gentleman stammering around holding his throat and choking.  He was panicking, and no one was doing anything… just watching.  From where I was, I could not see or hear anything until my wife yelled out my name in a panic.  I didn’t know what to think when I heard her scream, she is usually quite to herself, and not so outspoken.  I thought the worst and that something was wrong with her… so I dropped what I was doing and ran to see what she needed.  She was heading to the aid of the young gentleman and began to perform the Heimlich maneuver.  He was too tall for her to do it with ease, so I stepped in… I had to give him several thrusts in his sternum, and then a few good thumps on his back, and…. He was breathing fine again.

My wife and I take first aid and CPR courses annually and maintain these lifesaving certifications for just such a reason.  But, I believe we would have helped this individual regardless of receiving training.  A fellow human being was in need of assistance.  So we stepped in and helped.  We were astounded however, that all the others in this restaurant did nothing… they stared, continued eating or working, but didn’t even bother to lend a hand.  As a matter of fact, my wife shouted for someone to call 911 and get emergency help for this person… NO ONE called, No emergency personnel showed up to help, this young man was lucky that someone took the initiative to help save his life, or he may have died.

Reflecting on the events that took place, I was shocked at the lack of help this person received, and I thought, what if a member of my family needed your help…  Would you be there to help my family?

PLEASE get certified… PLEASE Help when you see someone in need.

I am here to help you, your family, and your loved ones…