Dr. Nick Campos

I saved my daughter’s life today. This post is not about me wanting praise or to be seen as a hero, but as a plea for you to learn CPR. I needed to know it today, and my CPR training saved my daughter’s life. One day you may need it too.

My youngest daughter, who is six years old, found it hysterical that my older daughter saw a film in her class which she described as, “blood driving pee around in a car.” The only problem with it was that the younger had a mouth full of food, and within seconds her uncontrollable laughter turned into silence and a look of despair, which quickly became the look of terror.

Luckily I was sitting right next to her. I asked if she could breathe; she shook her head no. And the training went into action. You hear it said by law enforcement and other civil servants trained to protect and rescue. I did not even think twice. She tried to stick her fingers in her mouth; I calmly said, “Stop.” She did. I then picked her up, as she is small and gave her two quick thrusts with my fist in her abdomen. Putting her down, I asked if she could breathe; she nodded no. I picked her up again, two quick thrusts—I was about to rap her on her upper back—but quickly put her down.

“Can you breathe?” I again said calmly.

She shook her head, yes. I asked again. This time she spoke, “I swallowed it.”

Phewwwww…long breath of relief. You know the one: we just survived something major. Sh*#!

That was not the first time I needed to use CPR. I saved my mother’s life back in 2007 when she choked on her food as well. I cannot stress it enough: you will never learn another skill more valuable than CPR. Take it from a guy who could have lost both his parent and child if not for the First Aid/CPR training he received as a rescuer. You don’t realize how fast it happens, and until you see the look of terror in a person’s eyes who is choking, you will never know how scary it can be.

You can take a class in a few hours one day. You will come out knowing how to perform the Heimlich maneuver, CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Local fire departments offer classes, so does the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association and the YMCA. They even have special classes for babysitters, nannies and au pairs.

Everybody knows that they should take a CPR class, but it is so easy to put off, and I promise you will be glad you took the course when the time comes. The alternative is unthinkable for the most of us. Take a CPR/First AID class today—don’t even wait for the New Year. You’ll be so happy when you look at your child and think, “I have more time with you, angel,” like I did today thanks to my knowledge of CPR.