By Greta Stuckey
syracuse.com
GEDDES, N.Y. — A couple who work together as paramedics in Baldwinsville were finishing their anniversary dinner Friday night when they heard someone yell that a woman was choking.
Justin and Winona Schindler rushed over to try to help the elderly woman who was choking at Daniella’s Steakhouse in Geddes.
The couple, who are paramedics for the Greater Baldwinsville Ambulance Corps, often work together in the ambulance.
At the restaurant, they were quick to jump into action.
“As soon as we realized something was going on, we were like, let’s see what we can do to help,” Winona said.
Winona said she knew to clear the area, make sure someone had called 911 and to ask about an AED. Her husband began first aid.
Justin started by giving the woman the Heimlich maneuver. After a few minutes of trying, the woman was still choking and became unconscious and stopped breathing, Winona said.
That’s when the couple got the woman to the ground and Winona put an AED on her while Justin began performing CPR for about four to five minutes, Winona said.
During that time, a staff member ran out to their car to retrieve a LifeVac, a choking rescue device.
After using the LifeVac and continuing chest compressions, the woman’s airway was cleared of food and Winona helped her get oxygen as she slowly began regaining consciousness.
“Everyone was doing what they could to help and wanted to make sure the woman was taken care of, and her family was okay,” Winona said.
Soon, an ambulance arrived to provide further care and took the woman to the hospital, she said.
Charlie Roman, the owner of the steakhouse, said he’s so grateful the couple was there.
The family of the woman who choked are regulars at the restaurant, so Roman said he received updates on her status over the weekend. On Sunday, the woman’s daughter sent him a photo of her mother in the hospital and said she was doing great — and that they were grateful to everyone who helped.
“It was really scary,” Roman said. “It was a team effort by everyone, and I think it was handled really professionally.”
How you can help in an emergency
Winona said if people are interested in being trained in CPR, they can take classes through the American Red Cross, CNY CPR and most local ambulance agencies.
There is also an app people can download on their phones called PulsePoint AED that gives information about where AEDs are located nearby in the event that someone needs one, Winona said.
Staff writer Greta Stuckey covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at gstuckey@syracuse.com.
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