Student Nurse Saves Choking Toddler

Twenty-year-old student nurse Becky Topping from Antrim has been hailed a hero after saving a toddler's life on Sunday. Becky had nipped out for something to eat with a friend whens she witnessed the young boy turning purple as his mum struggled to get him out of his buggy. She told Belfast Live what happened:

"My friend and I were out for frozen yoghurt and we were sat two tables away from the mother. She jumped up and I could see she was flustered and saying, 'No, no, no'. I got up and could see the boy was in his buggy and she was trying to pull him out but was struggling with the belt. She got him out and I could see his face was purple so I just took him off her and threw him over my arm and slapped his back."

Becky, from Carrickfergus, continued to slap the child's back until he threw up. She said the whole incident happened very quickly and lasted about 30 seconds:

"He threw up and there was a large chocolate button whole in his sick"

The student nurse has been lauded for her life-saving actions but she is keen that the incident should highlight the importance of knowing basic first aid skills:

"The thing I want to get across is for everyone to know basic first aid skills. That and to be aware of large objects and the dangers of choking, especially for young kids because they explore everything with their mouths. I think everyone should know first aid. You do not think you will be called on to ever put it into practice but this shows you can. Even by watching a three minute video online it can help."

The HSE advise the following if a child is choking:

• Turn the infant face down with their head lower than their body.
• Support their head, jaw and neck.
• Give 5 back blows using the heel of your hand between the infant's shoulders.
• Turn the infant onto its back while still supporting their head and neck.
• Give 5 chest thrusts by placing two fingers over the lower half of the infant's breastbone, below an imaginary line between the nipples.
• Keep doing 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object pops out and the infant begins to breathe again.
• If the infant becomes unresponsive, call for help and send someone to dial 999 or 112.

Would you know what to do in case of an emergency? You can read more about paediatric first aid or find information about first aid courses here.