Officers use Heimlich maneuver to save woman’s life

Published 9:18 am Thursday, October 11, 2012

Austin police officers potentially saved a woman’s life on Wednesday when they performed the Heimlich maneuver.

Officers went to the 69-year-old Austin woman’s home just before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday for the 911 call. According to the police report, the victim’s husband had already unsuccessfully tried the Heimlich maneuver, and his wife’s airway was completely blocked by a piece of ham. When officers arrived, the woman’s skin had turned blue, but officer Michael Hartman was able to partially dislodge the ham by using the Heimlich. A second officer, Rene Phan, attempted the Heimlich from a standing position and was able to clear the woman’s airway. The woman began breathing again and was OK.

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