TT must learn first aid

THE EDITOR: It is sad that we have lost a life due to choking on food. My condolences to the schoolboy’s family, that child could have been mine or yours. Here is how choking can be prevented:

*Sit while eating, encourage children to chew food well, keep food pieces small, cook, grate or mash hard foods and avoid whole nuts, corn chips, grapes and chenettes. Learn first aid.

This country needs more of its citizens trained in first aid. I am glad I learned the Heimlich Manoeuvre. Here’s how it’s done, stand behind the choking victim with your arms wrapped around their waist, lean the person forward, ball your hand into a fist and place it on the person’s abdomen above their navel, use your free hand to grip your fist and press into the person’s abdomen in an upward motion, repeat until the food is dislodged.

For 2020, let us learn first aid, people. The life you save could be a loved one. One life lost is one too many and this is a real tragedy. My safety, your safety is our responsibility.

AV RAMPERSAD

Princes Town