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BUFFALO, N.Y. — How many people can say they know how to preform the Heimlich maneuver if in an emergency situation?
You never want to have to be put in that situation, but if you are it’s good to know what to do.
A TSA employee at the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport recently used this method to help save the life of a co-worker. .
Buffalo-Niagara TSA Officer Marie Benny had been on her break, and was having a snack when she began choking.
“I began choking on the granola I was eating and was very scared because I could not get enough air to cough anything up,” remembered Benny. “No offense, but I just kept thinking, ‘Dear God, I do not want to die here in the TSA breakroom.’”
Others in the room were unaware at first that Benny was struggling.
Unsure of how to make it obvious without the use of her voice, she began waving her arms around the room in hopes that someone nearby would help her.
Supervisory Officer William Brand happened to be punching in for his shift when we realized that Benny was choking. Although he had never had to preform a Heimlich, he was determined to save his co-worker.
“He could’ve stepped away, refused, froze or said he couldn’t do anything, but he stepped up and put his arms around me with a strong bear hug motion,” said a thankful Benny.
After doing five quick compressions the food stuck in Benny’s airway was dislodged allowing her to take a gulp of air after what she thought could’ve been the end of her life.
“Marie’s a trooper,” said Brand. “She took an extra 15 minutes on her break then went back to work.”
“I want everyone to know Bill Brand went into action and saved a life,” said Benny. “It seems like a simple statement, but it is very emotional.”
“I had the opportunity to speak to Officers Benny and Brand shortly after the event,” said Federal Security Director Bart Johnson. “Officer Benny went into great detail explaining the entire event to me, and it is crystal clear that Officer Brand saved her life.”
Johnson added, “We are all very proud of Officer Brand. He was very humble and took it all in stride even though he had just saved a life. I conveyed to him that he represents the best of what TSA has to offer.”
The TSA shared that on a lighter note, Benny said she will no longer be snacking on granola anytime soon.
Those looking to learn more about learning the steps to take when someone is choking can visit www.redcross.org
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