A QUICK-THINKING teacher saved the life of a pupil who was choking on a sweet – less than 24 hours after receiving first aid training.
Jo Callow, deputy head teacher of St Mary's RC Primary School in Douglas, stopped seven year old Richmond Gabriel from choking to death.
Richmond was eating sweets with his friends at home-time last week when one became lodged in his throat.
Unable to speak and struggling to breathe Richmond managed to alert Mrs Callow who put her St John Ambulance training into use.
Placing her left arm in front of his chest Mrs Callow delivered swift blows to his back using the heel of her hand. On the fourth blow she managed to dislodge the large boiled sweet stuck in Richmond's throat.
Mrs Callow explained: "Richmond came to me coughing and spluttering. I asked if he was choking and he just nodded so I talked to him while slapping him on the back explaining to him what I was doing so he would be less frightened.
"On the fourth slap the sweet came flying out of his mouth. I explained to Richmond what had happened and made sure he had lots to drink to soothe his throat."
By chance Mrs Callow had attended, along with her colleagues, a St John Ambulance training session the night before where she had practiced on 'Choking Charlie' – a life sized dummy which is used to show people how to respond to someone who is choking.
Mrs Callow continued: "I have taught for 20 years and, thankfully, have not had a similar situation.
"It was such unbelievable timing having just had the training from St John Ambulance. It was reassuring to know that what we thought was tricky to do on dummies could be done with such positive results on a child."
Richmond's parents, Corazon and Rolando Gabriel, have said they are very thankful to Mrs Callow for her quick reactions.
Mrs Gabriel said: "I am very glad Mrs Callow had the confidence to give first aid and was alert to the danger Richmond was in. I am very thankful to her."
Helen Bennett, the school's liaison officer for St John Ambulance, had delivered the life saving training to the teachers at St Mary's school.
She said: "St John Ambulance provides training that means someone can be the difference in a life or death situation.
"When someone chokes they are powerless to act themselves and timely intervention is critical. It is amazing that the very day after attending our in-school session Mrs Callow found herself rushing to help Richmond.
"She did exactly the right thing and her actions illustrate how vital it is for everyone to learn simple techniques that can mean they save a life."
Head teacher Tim Short added: "Every year we refresh or visit a new area of first aid or health welfare.
"This year, due to particular health needs of some of our pupils, we decided to invite the school nurse to refresh our staff with the use of the EpiPen and St John Ambulance to teach staff methods for dealing with choking. Little did we realise how relevant this would be within 24 hours
"We are all extremely proud of how Mrs Callow followed the St John Ambulance procedure and remained calm under difficult and distressing circumstances."
Richmond has recovered fully from the ordeal and is now under strict instructions to chew sweets more carefully before swallowing them.
For more information about St John Ambulance and the life saving courses it runs contact 01624 674387 or visit www.sja.org.uk/sja/counties/isle-of-man.aspx.
