Teacher saves student from choking during recess with Heimlich maneuver

At Avukat Şahap Demirer Primary School in the Şirintepe neighborhood of the Tepebaşı district, 2nd-grade student İzzettin Abdullah was eating toast in the schoolyard when a piece became lodged in his windpipe. Struggling to breathe, İzzettin went to duty teacher Renan Karabulut, who was in the yard and assigned to a different class. Realizing his student could not breathe, Karabulut first patted his back and then performed the Heimlich maneuver twice, successfully dislodging the food blocking the child's airway.

Speaking to reporters about the incident, which was also captured by the school's security camera, Karabulut, a 26-year veteran educator, said that İzzettin approached him in a panic while holding his toast, and that he began the intervention as soon as he realized the boy could not breathe.

Stating that the food did not come out when he patted the student's back, Karabulut said, "I tried to stay calm. When I applied the Heimlich maneuver, God helped. I saw the food blocking İzzettin's windpipe come out at that moment. I quickly cleared the food from his mouth. İzzettin is doing very well and is healthy now."

Karabulut explained that his wife is a healthcare professional who has worked as a midwife for 27 years, and that they had previously discussed, "What would we do if this happened to us, how would we act?" noting that he learned the Heimlich maneuver from her.

Noting that this was the first time he had encountered such an incident, Karabulut said, "Thank God we saved İzzettin. His family came after the incident and thanked me. They were also very happy. The Ministry of National Education provides first aid training, including the Heimlich maneuver, to all teachers. Our teachers receive the necessary training. It is definitely of great benefit for every educator, regardless of the grade level, to receive all training regarding the Heimlich maneuver and first aid."

İzzettin Abdullah, who was saved from death by his teacher's intervention, stated that the piece of toast came out when teacher Karabulut applied pressure to his abdomen for the second time.

Emphasizing that he had great difficulty breathing at that moment, the student said, "I am very well now. My teacher helped me a lot. I thank him very much. After the incident, I said, 'Thank you very much, I love you very much,' and kissed his hand."

News Source: AA