Saving a life at Jay's game - SJHC staffer gives a family the best Father's Day gift
What better way to spend Father's Day than taking dad to see a baseball game? Allison Einarson, a sonographer at St. Joseph's Health Centre for 15 years, did just that with her husband and two children. What Allison did not know was that she would save a young woman's life that day.At 12:30 p.m., before the game was scheduled to start, Allison and her family were getting settled into their seats when 10 seats down, Allison heard some commotion and saw a young man attempting to perform the Heimlich Maneuver. Allison saw he was struggling and was not successful in dislodging the object so she offered to help.
Trained in first aid and CPR, Allison could hear the woman was getting some air but was still struggling to breathe. "I had just done a recertification course (in first aid and CPR). I told her I was trained and asked her if she needed my help," she said. "I started to perform the Heimlich Maneuver and eventually she vomited but to my surprise, the object was lodged deeper than I thought." Allison continued to help the woman until she vomited again and the piece of hot dog she was choking on was dislodged.
Both the woman and her husband are extremely grateful that Allison was in the right place at the right time. "She called Breakfast Television to tell them the story and has been in constant communication with me," said Allison. "I'm thankful that I was able to help."
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Page last updated: June 29, 2010
