Police Officer Saves Choking Baby: WATCH

Summary:

• An 11-month-old baby was saved by a Hayward Police officer.
• The officer provided first aid when the baby's airway was blocked by a rubber band.
• Watch the video, including the officer's body cam.

HAYWARD, CA — An 11-month-old baby girl was saved by a Hayward Police officer last month, who provided first aid as the baby was choking.

The emergency happened on Feb. 5, and was shared on social media this week.

Officer Gonzalez was starting his night shift when a family rushed toward him with the baby. With incredible calm, he radioed for medical help, and then followed first aid protocol of laying the baby on her stomach, and giving her firm blows on the back to dislodge a rubber band that was blocking her airway.

Paramedics arrived and checked the baby, who was fine.

Watch the video on the Hayward Police Department Facebook page.

Here is information from the American Red Cross on how to revive a choking baby.

General Care: Choking Infant

1. Position infant face-down along your forearm using your thigh for support.
   1. Keep the infant's head lower than their body.
2. Give 5 firm back blows.
   1. Use the heel of the hand to strike between the shoulder blades.
3. Turn infant face-up with their head lower than their body.
4. Give 5 quick chest thrusts.
   1. Chests thrusts should be about 1 ½ inches deep.
5. Continue giving 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts.
   1. Continue until the infant can cough or cry or becomes unresponsive.
6. If the infant becomes unresponsive, lower them to a firm, flat surface and begin CPR (starting with compressions) according to your level of training.
   1. Trained responders: After each set of compressions and before attempting breaths:
   2. Open the infant's mouth.
   3. Look for an object.
   4. If seen, remove it using your pinky. NEVER do a pinky sweep unless you actually see the object.

Choking Infant FAQs

How do I give back blows for an infant?

To give back blows:

• Sit, kneel or stand, supporting the infant’s back along your forearm braced by your thigh.
• Hold the infant’s head cradled by your hand.
• Keep their head lower than their chest.
• Place your other forearm along the infant’s front, supporting the infant’s jaw with your thumb and forefinger.
• Turn them to a face-down position, holding them along your forearm.
  • Use your thigh for support.
  • Keep their head lower than their body.
• Use the heel of your hand to give 5 firm back blows between the infant’s shoulder blades.

How do I give chest thrusts for an infant?

• Give chest thrusts if back blows don’t help.
• Turn the infant face-up, supporting the head and neck and resting them on your thigh.
• Keep their head lower than the chest.
• Place two fingers in the center of the chest just below the nipple line.
• Give 5 quick chest thrusts about 1 ½ inches deep.

What should I do if the infant is able to cough or cry?

Encourage the infant to keep coughing, but continue to observe them. Do not leave them alone and be prepared to act if their condition changes.
Do I treat a child who is choking the same as an infant?

No. Use a combination of 5 back blows then 5 abdominal thrusts. An infant requires 5 back blows then 5 chest compressions to clear the airway.