On Mother’s Day Week. My sister, my daughters, and I were eating lunch at Harry’s on Alki. Across the room from us, a group of eight or nine women were eating at a long table–a group of old friends maybe or fellow bird watchers or bridge players.
As we were eating, suddenly my daughter, Rose, jumped up and sprinted across the room. She grabbed a waitress from behind the bar, and a moment later, the waitress was leaning over the table giving the Heimlich Maneuver to a large woman at the long table. The procedure took a long time, but finally the woman was able to breathe again.
Back at our table, Rose told us she’d noticed that the woman didn’t seem to be able to breathe, but she waited a couple of beats for the other women at the long table to do something. They didn’t, though, so she ran for help.
She believed—right or wrong—that every large or medium-sized restaurant would have someone trained in the Heimlich Maneuver. Otherwise, she said, she would have tried it herself.
This was just a small everyday event. But it was a good thing that a couple of ordinary heroes stepped up—one who was alert to her surroundings, decisive, and fast and one who was well trained. Also, they both cared.
This wasn’t the first time one of my daughters had jumped into action. They’re more like my husband that way.
Eugene was born during the Japanese invasion of China. By the time he was three, the Japanese were occupying his town. From that experience, he understood that you can’t always depend on someone else to be the hero. You must be prepared to defend yourself and to take care of others. He passed that attitude on to our daughters.
Speaking of heroes, I have to give a shout out to the brave Ukrainian people and their heroic soldiers.
Slava Ukraini (Glory to Ukraine), Heroiam Slava (Glory to the heroes).
- Have you ever been the hero?
- Do you know someone who’s good in emergencies (observant, decisive, fast, and knowledgeable)?
- Have you seen people just “walk on by” rather than help?
It’s been a long time since I stepped up physically for the safety of another person – but it was something I did a lot in my younger days. These days I am trying to temper my behaviour to suit my physical limitations.
How observant of your daughter to spot the potential for trouble, and then to act so quickly. Glad there was a positive outcome, it would have been so distressing for all concerned for it to have been otherwise.
I’m not surprised that you stepped up to help people when they were in trouble. Tempering your behavior to suit your current physical limitations is a good idea, better that ending up with two people who need help.
Nicki, Nice story. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Jill.
I’ve never seen anyone mindfully walk by someone in distress without doing anything. I think we are hard-wired to “want” to help . . . even if sometimes we don’t know what to do. That happened to me.
My grandfather collapsed in our kitchen. I saw what was happening, knew that I did not KNOW what to do. While others were pondering what to do, I picked up the phone and called 911. The EMT’s arrived in short order and got things back on track. He survived!
God bless the EMTs. A similar thing happened to me. My grandson must have been about two years old when suddenly he collapsed. My daughter was on the floor with him shouting that he wasn’t breathing. I called the 911, and thank goodness they came quickly. My grandson had what I think was a febrile seizure, something that only affects small children. I guess it wasn’t as serious as it appeared to be, but it was frightening not to know what to do.
A story worthy of congratulations
Thank you, Derrick.
Heartwarming and perceptively alert. Rose, well done.
Thank you, Mumtaz.
My doctor sister is like that. She’s always got an eye out. When one of the bridesmaid’s at another sister’s wedding passed out, she saw it coming. Was out of her seat and caught the bridesmaid before she hit the ground.
That’s so impressive! Some people are so good like that. Many of us are not so fast, not so decisive.
Good thing your daughter was observant. Sometimes the person in distress can’t yell for help.
Since I wasn’t paying attention, I don’t know if the woman was making any noise at all or not.
What a story. Things can go sideways quickly. I’m glad your daughter knew how to handle the situation. I know that some people will always help while others will never be bothered to help. I suspect it’s been that way forever, but it doesn’t mean I like this reality.
It’s hard to butt in on what might be considered someone else’s business. That’s why Rose waited a couple of beats for the woman’s friends to do something. I wonder why they didn’t.
That was quite a dining experience Nicki! Thank goodness your daughter was so observant and that the restaurant worker knew what to do. I hope the woman appreciated their quick reaction. My husband used this technique on his job as an EMT and more than once I’ve had him explain it so I would know what to do in the situation. It’s been a while so I appreciate this reminder to show me again!
It’s great that you have someone to train you and give you brush-up lessons. It’s a fairly common thing. We should all know what to do.
Wow! That woman might have died had your daughter not stepped into the situation! I agree that someone at a restaurant should know how to do it. It used to be that jobs offered first aid training. One job I had offered it.
Yes, I have seen people walk by. I wonder if some think they are too busy or too lacking in some way to help. Either way, it’s scary for the person needing help.
Yes, more jobs should offer first aid training and reviews. I think many of us are afraid to get involved with something if we don’t know how to handle it.