LYNN — Firefighters responded to a home on Jackson Street for a report of a person choking on food. Upon arrival, a woman was found at the kitchen counter with a Lynn Police officer performing the heimlich manuever.
Engine 5 crews provided care, but the woman collapsed. She was placed on the floor and assessed, but there were no life signs observed at the time because her airway was found completely blocked with no air getting in.
Fire Chief Stephen Archer said that, on the May 2 incident, the Engine 5 crew “worked diligently to revive her,” by repositioning her airway several times until paramedics from the department’s Medic One and an Atlantic Basic Life Support crew arrived to take over care.
Soon after, the paramedics were able to clear the obstruction, and they continued to administer CPR.
After several minutes, the woman’s pulse and breathing returned, and she awoke. She was then transported to Salem Hospital by Medic One.
“It was a great example of responders cooperating smoothly to save a life that was hanging in the balance,” Archer said.
