Sunday - 2008-0608-0030 - Life and Possible Death in the Afternoon

My customary habit at lunch is to dawdle with whatever I'm reading. Which means I may easily consume as hour. The diners at the tables around me may switch frequently, but I sit sphinx-like reading or creating psychological profiles for someone I note.

At some subconscious level, I hear the requests for seating. "Can we get a booth?" "We'll need two tables." "There are four adults and five children." Now that I think of it, this has becomes expected background noise.

At some point, a group entered of four women and a very striking young man. They were seat at my 1 o'clock position, so they were clearly in my sight. The first thing I noticed was his large cowboy belt buckle. He wore dark semi-contoured jeans, old cowboy boots and a cap. It was only later that I realized he appeared lethargic.

He and one women sat on one side of the booth; the three women were on the other side. An older women at the far right took a photo of him and his companion with her cell camera.

They wandered off to fill their plates and about ten minutes later, the word "Help!" registered in my brain. "He's chocking!" "Do something!"

Someone grabbed him and he was able to stand, but he was obviously totally dazed. The older woman quickly applied what appeared to be the Heimlich Maneuver. She thrust upward with her fists against his abdomen three or four times. Each times, she literally lifted him off the floor. Finally, he coughed.

The other women with him were obviously terrified. The man behind approached. A national guardsman from my rear came up. Just as she finished, two guardsman entered, and I heard one say to "eat small bites." .

He was now seated at the edge of the booth facing outwards. But he appeared listless and confused, and I was fairly certain he was not sure where he was. .

After five minutes or so, he grabbed his had and headed for the door. I motioned his companion over, who indicated she was his sister. I told her he would need to talk through, when he felt like it, what had happened. And I said to let him be the one to decide. .

Chocking can be a severe life-threatening event.

"When someone is choking with a completely blocked airway, no oxygen can enter the lungs. The brain is extremely sensitive to this lack of oxygen and begins to die within four to six minutes. It is during this time that first aid must take place. Irreversible brain death occurs in as little as 10 minutes."

Just because ten minutes later, the person is up and about does not mean that the person is not severely traumatized. The person may feel deep embarrassment about what has happened. Self-perception can be altered. Or in some case, the individuals may experience something akin to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Especially in the case of a young, vibrant male, he may feel his "manhood" has been stripped away. .

(President George H. W. Bush, in office January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993, visited China on a state strip. At the formal dinner, he choked, vomited and fainted. The cause was indicated to be a gastrointestinal bug. Over the years, I've caught snippets of interviews in which he has discussed the event. And very consistently, he has indicated his sense of loss of dignity, and feeling of helplessness.) .

Everything happened so quickly at lunch today, and I knew that I had no special skills I could offer, that I felt it was best to let those more qualified deal with the situation. I was very thankful that the results were positive. .

Much later, it struck me that I could have offered consolation to the women. And praise to the one who performer the Heimlich Maneuver. It was evident to me that to approach the victim might only add to his sense of confusion. It did strike me that I could have offered a xanax. But that could be medically dangerous. Plus, when I check my pill box, I did not have any. .

In a way, I wish I given my number to the sister to let me know how he was doing. I certainly hope that he is doing as well as can be expected.

(In Sunday - 2008-0608-0030 / Out - 2008-0608-1800) This entry was written in several settings.

Pax! Erin go braugh! Je accuse...