Airport Emergency Action

I had a life altering experience on Tuesday while in the airport. I was standing in the security check in line and people watching, like usual. I was watching a man, about 7 people in front of me, with three little girls when one of them started choking on something she was eating. I watched him wack her back a couple times, he then picked her up and wacked her- it was not working. By now most people in the line were watching as this frantic father tried to revive his chocking child.

It is at this time that my mind started wheeling, she needed the heimlich. I am first aid certified; I have been since I was 12 and went to Girls Camp. I have been knowledgeable about first aid sine I went to scouts with my dad when I was 8. I have had first aid training in babysitting courses. I have had advanced first aid training multiple times in school including a semester long course devoted to it. However I have never been forced to use first aid in an emergency in my life. I froze. I kept thinking, I can help but this room is full of people, someone has to be more qualified than me. In this room, there has to be a doctor or a nurse, a firefighter or a police officer, and where is the airport paramedic or security.

Finally a woman ran up to him. She had no medical training, she continued to fruitlessly wack the child’s back. Another woman approached grabbed the little girl and did the Heimlich. The child threw up, dislodging the choking hazard and beginning to breath again. They laid her down and lifted her feet. Her sisters just stood there uncomforted, mortified and forgotten. I walked by and went on my way with a pit of shame and despair in my stomach. I should be happy and relieved that this young child was saved and well but I could not get past the frozen horror I felt while watching the emergency enfold infront of me.

I felt like I had wasted my first aid training by doing nothing. I walked like a zombie to my gate, sat down and dissolved into tears. I cannot believe I had failed to miserably, I cannot believe I had just stood there and watched. I have never been so ashamed in myself as I was then, knowing I could act and didn’t.

My sister, who has come upon many a car accident and emergency, said that often we need one experience of frozen doubt and terror to mentally prepare us for an emergency before we can act. She said from this moment on whenever I am faced with an emergency and my first aid is needed I will be willing to help because I will know that I am able. I will already have had this emotional battle. Next time I will act!