Deputy’s Dinner-Hour Lifesaving Heimlich Maneuver Saves a Prisoner’s Life
Photo: Deputy Escamilla (left)
LOS ANGELES – “We have a man down!” LASD Custody Deputy Carlos Escamilla sprang into action to help a choking prisoner during Saturday’s dinner hour. He initiated a lifesaving measure using the Heimlich maneuver.
Nearly 150 inmates in The Pitchess Detention Center-South Facility watched the heart-pounding moment take place. The well-prepared deputy’s maneuvers with swift 7-8 well-placed abdominal thrusts saved the inmate’s life.
LASD announced, “The inmate displayed signs of extreme distress. The security deputy saw the 36-year-old man gesture that he was choking by holding his hands to his throat. He also saw his complexion turn purple.”
Subsequently, abdominal thrusts lifted the diaphragm to expel air from the lungs. A possible life-ending incident came to a halt when the food morsel dislodged from the man’s airway.
LASD continued, “The man began to breathe on his own. He was able to walk out of the room on his own. He was treated by professional medical staff as a precautionary measure.”
Choking is, in fact, the fourth leading cause of unintentional death. Many people die each year from choking on objects that obstruct their airways and cause suffocation.
LASD added, “When asked about his reaction to the emergency, Deputy Escamilla said he remembered the Heimlich Maneuver Procedure from training he completed as an LASD Explorer, during his Deputy Sheriff Trainee Academy, and during a recent refresher training course.”
Consequently, LASD reported that the inmate later thanked the heroic deputy for his assistance. Deputy Escamilla was just glad he and his partners were able to assess the situation and use their training to handle a dire event quickly and successfully.
Versions of this simple technique are designed for children, pregnant women, and even one for you to use on yourself. Additionally, The Red Cross recommends including five back blows.
LASD concluded, “The inmates who observed the lifesaving event were very grateful and even applauded Deputy Escamilla’s actions.” It was truly an excellent “If You See Something, Say Something” moment.
LASD Custody Deputy Rushes to Save Choking Inmate with Heimlich Maneuver
#LASD Custody Deputy Rushes to Save Choking Inmate with Heimlich Maneuver It was during suppertime on Saturday, June 2, 2018, when the life of an inmate almost came to a panicking halt. Attention was drawn to an inmate choking in the dining hall, but due to the swift moves of a well-prepared deputy, the offending morsel was dislodged and the man was saved.With approximately 150 inmates inside the Pitchess Detention Center-South Facility dining room, attention was drawn to one of the men who displayed signs of physical distress, whose breathing was obstructed by a piece of food lodged in his throat. Deputy Carlos Escamilla was alerted to the emergency when he heard one inmate call out, “We have a man down!” Deputy Escamilla, who worked chowhall security, looked toward the source of commotion and immediately noticed the inmate displaying signs of extreme distress. He saw the 36-year-old man gesture that he was choking by holding his hands to his throat, and saw his complexion turn purple. Without hesitation, Deputy Escamilla performed the Heimlich Maneuver and administered several abdominal thrusts to dislodge the obstruction. The food was ejected and, thankfully, the man began to breathe on his own. He was able to walk out of the room on his own and was treated by professional medical staff as a precautionary measure. When asked about his reaction to the emergency, Deputy Escamilla said he remembered the Heimlich Maneuver Procedure from training he completed as an LASD Explorer, during his Deputy Sheriff Trainee Academy and then again during a recent refresher training course.The inmates who observed the lifesaving event were very grateful and even applauded Deputy Escamilla’s actions.The heroic deputy said the inmate later thanked him for his assistance, but Deputy Escamilla was just glad he and his partners were able to assess the situation and use their training to handle a dire event quickly and successfully.
Posted by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on Monday, June 4, 2018
