Teacher, secretary save the day

Two staff members at two Newport-Mesa Unified high schools have a new skill to add to their résumés: saving lives.

A schoolteacher and secretary both have performed the Heimlich Maneuver on people choking on food this past month.

On Monday, school support secretary Marykay Jones was having lunch with co-workers at a picnic table at Estancia High School when her friend and fellow secretary Martie Zingg, who was eating carrots, suddenly gasped and stood up, fanning her chest.

Jones asked if Zingg was all right; the latter shook her head and kept trying to gasp for air.

“She literally could not breathe,” said school office administrator Debi Bukewige. “She said it was the most horrible feeling in the world.”

Fellow secretary Cindy Hiland, who was sitting with the women, ran for help. In the meantime, Jones stepped behind Zingg and attempted the Heimlich Maneuver. Her attempt was unsuccessful, as were two subsequent attempts.

But upon Jones’ fourth abdominal thrust, her friend’s airway opened. After Zingg thanked Jones, she commented, “I knew those carrots were too healthy for my own good.”

A similar incident occurred at another school in the district during the week of Oct. 12., while sophomores at Corona del Mar High were busy taking PLAN tests — practice tests for the ACT.

A student began choking on some food stuck in his throat.

When English teacher Dan Patterson saw this happening, he immediately performed the Heimlich on the student, expelling the food on the sixth try.

“We’re required to have CPR training as part of our job,” Bukewige said. “Marykay is the athletic secretary, so it is very close to her. … It was thanks to Marykay’s quick actions and cool head that the event had a positive outcome. Estancia is proud of both these great ladies for the way they took the incident in stride. Martie was back at her post after lunch as if nothing unusual had happened. Tuesday, however, she brought shredded carrots in her salad as a precaution.”

Did You Know?

Symptoms of choking

 The victim has difficulty trying to or is unable to speak or yell.

 The victim’s breathing is labored or weak.

 The victim grabs at their throat or reaches in their mouth.

  Some victims may begin coughing or gurgling.

 The victim’s face might turn blue.

Taking a First Aid class? Here’s a quick refresher on how to help choking victims.

 Encourage the victim to cough or drink water.

 Assist the person in need to a standing position, and explain what you are going to do.

 Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their waist.

 Make a fist with one hand; place the thumb just above the person’s belly button. The goal is to exert pressure on the bottom of the diaphragm, to create an artificial cough.

 Hold on to your fist with your other hand.

 Make five strong upward squeeze/thrust motions, upward and inward.

 Repeat until the foreign body is expelled.

 If the victim falls unconscious, CPR should be administered by someone trained in the practice.

Note: The universal sign for choking is to clutch one’s throat.