Earlier this week I was watching the movie, Groundhog Day, for the umpteenth time and the scene where Bill Murray saves a man in a restaurant from choking on a piece of meat by using the Heimlich Maneuver reminded me of something that happened to me some years ago. I was sitting alone in my car in the middle of a large parking lot, eating a hamburger, when I suddenly started to choke. No matter what I did I could not get any breath and I thought my time was up. Something inside me insisted I keep fighting, though, and it occurred to me that I might have a slightly better chance if I got out of the car and was on my feet. Grabbing the door handle, I violently bent at the waist and at the same time twisted to my left and before my feet touched the ground the chunk of food came up. I realized that that sudden, simultaneous bending at the waist and twisting to the left saved my life. I have since had the opportunity to use it again in a slightly less desperate situation as I could get a little breath. It worked then, too. It is not a substitute for the Heimlich Maneuver, but if you are alone and choking on food and nothing else helps, you might try this. At worst, it will not work, and at best, it could save your life. Along with Groundhog Day, I saw a promotion for a new Bill Murray film which they hope everyone will get excited about. I hope so, too. To me, Bill Murray has made three memorable movies: Meatballs, Caddyshack, and Groundhog Day, the last, more than 30 years ago. I have not seen all the movies he has made since then, but the ones I have seen were boring and somewhat pathetic. I very much hope that this new one is as enjoyable as his earlier ones.
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 13:17:25 +0000
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