'I knew my teacher knew what to do:' Tusalw teacher saves choking student
TUSCARAWAS TWP. – Every few years in her nearly 30-year teaching career, Jenn Ellenberger has taken first aid training, including learning the Heimlich maneuver.
The elementary instructor has never had to perform the life-saving measure until late last month when one of her third grade students got a piece of ice from a frozen drink stuck in his throat.
"It's one situation you never think you'll be the one in it," the Tuslaw Elementary teacher said. "(The training) kicked in and I knew what I was supposed to do."
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In the United States, an average of 140 children choke to death each year, and thousands of others require emergency care after a choking episode. The American Academy of Pediatrics says a child dies every five days from choking on food.
'I knew my teacher knew what to do'
Nine-year-old Donte Drotar was gearing up for the weekend. The end of the day was nearing and he and his classmates were indulging in a frozen ice treat celebrating April birthdays.
"I was cracking jokes with my friends," Donte said.
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As he was nearing the end of the treat, he took in a bigger than normal piece of ice and it became lodged in his throat.
"It seemed like mine had melted," he said. "Turns out, it was ice and when I went to take a breath it got stuck."
Donte didn't panic. His parents taught him to remain calm in an emergency, otherwise he could have a harder time breathing.
On a scale of one to 10 measuring how scared he was, Donte was at a 2, the youngster said.
"Because I knew my teacher knew what to do," he said. "I knew even if it didn't come out, ice melts. If it had been a piece of steak, I would have been more nervous."
Donte recalled his mom, April, telling him about the universal sign for choking. He walked to his teacher, tapped her and placed his hand on his neck.
"I was in an 'Oh, my God' stage. I could hardly breathe. I basically couldn't talk," he said.
Tuslaw teacher reacts quickly to choking student
Ellenberger saw Donte and knew something was wrong. Not only was he clutching his neck, but his face was turning shades of red and blue.
In her classroom, she has a policy that if you are not dying, bleeding or on fire, you don't go up to her desk.
"He knew this was an emergency," Ellenberger said. "He did exactly what he was supposed to do."
She performed the Heimlich maneuver. It took a couple of thrusts before the ice was dislodged.
"Once he started coughing, I could feel myself relax," Ellenberger said. "It was a rock-size piece. It definitely was a choking hazard."
After dislodging the ice, Donte got a drink and headed to the office, where he spoke with his father on the phone. The pair decided the younger Drotar would stick to his normal routine and take the bus home.
On the ride home, Donte met up with his twin, Noah. He told him what had happened but his brother, who is older by 38 minutes, didn't believe him. He thought it was a joke.
"He realized something had happened when mom and dad were both at the bus stop," Donte said.
April Drotar is grateful for the Ellenberger's reaction.
"She didn't panic," she said. "She had protocols in place. She acted swiftly and quickly."
The mother can't express enough gratitude.
"I really appreciate her and the school," she explained. (Ellenberger) called us (at the time) and texted later to see how he was doing. No words could ever thank her."
Principal Shelly Menuez expects nothing less from Ellenberger. While it was a tense situation, she was able to lean on her training.
"It really rattled her," she said. "It worked out OK, but it was a scary situation. She is one of those teachers that treat them like they were her own child and she did what she needed just like they were her family."
Tears still fill Ellenberger's eyes more than a week later.
"Donte was very grateful," the mother of two said. "When they are here, they are my kids."
Rach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.
On Twitter: @aknappINDE
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Tuslaw teacher Jenn Ellenberger does Heimlich, saves choking student
