Middle school girl saves choking father

By Mr. David E Gillespie (Army Medicine)March 30, 2015

Middle school girl saves choking father
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sixth grader Holly Widen speaks with reporters at Wassom Middle School Tuesday after a ceremony recognizing her lifesaving actions in performing the Heimlich maneuver to clear her father's obstructed airway. (U.S. Army photo by David E. Gillespie/REL... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Middle school girl saves choking father
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Before the hospital commander's presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation, Marc Rogers, supervisor for Blanchfield's Emergency Medical Services, tells Holly Widen's Wassom Middle School classmates about her quick-thinking and lifesaving actions i... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CAMPBELL, KY -- Despite her young age and small stature, a rather modest and unassuming 11-year-old girl became one of the unlikeliest heroes last month as she sprang into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver on her choking father.

For her lifesaving actions, sixth-grade student Holly Widen was recognized Tuesday at Fort Campbell's Wassom Middle School and received a coin and Certificate of Appreciation from Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Commander Col. George N. Appenzeller. The commander and Emergency Medical Services staff members, one of whom responded to the 911 call, lauded Holly's actions.

"I really encourage all of you to take advantage when these classes are offered, because you can ultimately help someone, and even save someone's life," Appenzeller said. "There's no greater thing you can do than help others. So I thank you [Holly]. What a great example you set for all of us."

The brief ceremony came as a surprise to Holly during her last class of the day, as hospital leaders, parents and faculty rushed into the classroom. EMS Chief Marc Rogers recounted the story for Holly's classmates and attendees.

"She was pretty brave," Rogers said. "Back in February, she did something very heroic. She demonstrated a life-saving courageous act of the Heimlich maneuver on her father who was choking at their residence."

Reading from the citation, Rogers said, "Your life-saving actions enabled your dad to dislodge food blocking his airway. While the Emergency Medical Services ambulance was en route to your home, your courageous acts helped save your father's life. The Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Command and Emergency Management Team are grateful that you had the courage to perform this heroic lifesaving maneuver during a critical and stressful few moments that ultimately saved your father's life."

Holly's father Jeremy Widen had been enjoying a meal of pot roast at the Family dinner table, but was suddenly on the verge of losing consciousness after his airway became blocked by food. First, he rushed to the sink to try and purge the obstruction. Then Holly's mother, Spc. Shannon Widen, Alpha Company, 412th Aviation Support Battalion, tried unsuccessfully to dislodge it.

"When it happened, I could barely breathe. It would flutter back and forth. I'd gasp and then stop breathing," Jeremy explained. "My wife tried three or four times to give me the Heimlich, but that didn't work."

Jeremy said he was in a state of panic as it seemed like minutes were passing by with him unable to breathe.

"Holly was hovering around the whole time asking to let her try. I don't know how she got her arms around me, but after three or four [abdominal thrusts], up it came. I don't know how much longer I would have had before passing out," Jeremy said.

"She saved my life."

Middle school girl saves choking father

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