Opinion
Heimlich family maneuvers
Did you notice?
Those American Red Cross "Steps for Choking Emergencies" posters that the Tarboro Golden K Club members have distributed around town to every eatery, nursing home and school cafeteria are ... different.
You will not see any mention of the Heimlich Maneuver on the colorful posters illustrated with photos demonstrating the proper techniques.
You should know that the Red Cross and the American Heart Association have distanced themselves from the famous maneuver developed by Dr. Henry Heimlich of Cincinnati, “the world’s most famous doctor.”
That's news to me because I have seen it work. You see it work, and you do not forget.
We have been doing the wrong thing for the last 20 years?
"In 2005, both organizations returned to the use of back blows and abdominal thrusts to remove an obstruction from a conscious victim’s airway," said Lynwood Roberson, North Carolina's northeastern regional executive with the Twin Rivers Chapter in Rocky Mount. "The new guidelines eliminate the phrase 'Heimlich Maneuver' and now use the more accurate and explanatory phrase 'abdominal thrusts.' "
Roberson also provided some history:
"From 1976-1985 the American Red Cross and American Heart Association taught lay responders to perform a series of back blows to remove an airway obstruction. If the back blows failed, they were taught to then use the Heimlich Maneuver.
"In 1986, back blows were dropped from the choking save method and from 1986-2005, both organizations recommended using the Heimlich as the only method to assist a choking person."
For what's its worth. The Heimlich Maneuver is not dangerous, and it is effective. But in a choking situation, the medical experts want you to first try five backslaps first, right between the shoulder blades.
If that does not work, as the posters show, try the "abdominal thrusts" (which look like the Heimlich Maneuver to me).
Five-and-Five is supposed to be easier to remember.
If the victim become unconscious, you resort to trying rescue breaths and chest compressions.
Certainly, the Golden K men should be thanked for seeing the informative posters were delivered to the places that should have them.
We ran a story about their effort a few days ago. The ink was not dry before we got a phone call from Heimlich – the doctor’s youngest son, Peter, 53.
Peter has spent the last five years trying “to debunk the myths surrounding his father’s medical inventions.”
He and his wife Karen are writing a book, “Outmaneuvered,” about his father’s career and their efforts to bring issues to the public’s attention. They have a Web site, of course.
Peter charges his father with experimenting on humans, among other things.
He claims his father, now 87, promotes the Heimlich Maneuver for near-drowning victims, asthma and cystic fibrosis.
I do not know about Peter’s claims that his dad is a charlatan. I do not know the family dynamics
I do know the Heimlich Maneuver (“abdominal thrusts”) works.
And I know signing up for a Red Cross first aid/CPR course is always a good idea. The next one is Oct. 27. Call 977-1720.
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Come meet Ashley Woolard Saturday
The First Congressional District is ready for a change. A change in leadership, a change in priorities, and a change in attitudes.
The last Republican to represent the First District was Walter Pool in 1883. Our stagnant advancement under the direction of the Democrats is evident that a change is needed. We need jobs and we need businesses to provide those jobs.
G. K. Butterfield is our representative in Washington. It is his duty to represent all members of his district. The people who are struggling to take care of their families, support their churches, and expect the government to represent them are ignored. How has Butterfield benefited his constituents?
He voted to destroy the best health care system in the world, and voted for a bill that he had never read that will cost the taxpayers trillions of dollars. He voted to use taxpayer money to perform abortions in the healthcare bill.
He voted for Cap and Trade that will destroy millions of jobs at a time we need them most. This bill will drive more businesses out of the country. He was appointed to the Helsinki Committee to adopt the U. N. Global standards of environmental policies.
He voted for finance reform that will further restrict businesses and make it more difficult to maintain job growth.
Butterfield is loyal to Nancy Pelosi, and she has appointed him to several important committees. One of which is the House Committee of Standards of Official Conduct. t is their job to censor fellow members for misconduct, but when Charles Rangel was examined by the committee for lying about his taxes he gave Butterfield a thousand-dollar donation and the charges went away.
Ashley Woolard is challenging Butterfield for the right to represent the First District. Mr. Woolard is optimistic that he can defeat Butterfield in November. However, he is realistic and realizes that he needs help. He needs volunteers to get his message to every eligible voter, because every vote is important, but above all he needs money. It will take a lot of money to put a Republican in Washington for the first time in 127 years.
I am sure everyone knows who Butterfield is, but how many of you know Ashley Woolard? If you haven’t met this young man, we invite you to join an Ashley Woolard for Congress meet and greet on Saturday, July 31, from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Macclesfield Community Center, N.C. 124 and Fourth Street. This will also be a chance to donate to the campaign and purchase barbequed chicken plates for dinner.
Don Harrell
Macclesfield -
She doesn’t like traps for cats
I live in Tarboro and some of my neighbors have put out traps for cats. These cats have been here since I have lived here.
We have all kinds of animals here running here and they look good here.
I am unhappy about the way people do things.
What can we do about this?
DEBBIE OWENS
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