According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Dr. Henry Heimlich, the 96-year-old inventor of the Heimlich Maneuver, performed his life-saving technique for the first time on someone in need.
While dining at a restaurant, Dr. Heimlich noticed his 87-year-old neighbor, Patty Ris, choking on food. He immediately sprang into action, performing the Heimlich Maneuver three times, successfully dislodging the food.
First Personal Rescue, Great Fulfillment
Dr. Heimlich invented the Heimlich Maneuver in 1974, which has since become the standard method for saving choking victims worldwide. However, this was the first time he personally used it on someone in need. He expressed his joy, saying, “I’m so glad I saved that girl.”
Patty Ris later wrote a thank-you note to Dr. Heimlich, calling the incident divine intervention. She said, “It was God’s arrangement that I sat next to you, Dr. Heimlich. I was choking and couldn’t breathe. I was almost gone.”
Dr. Heimlich’s son remarked that his father, despite his age, was still capable of performing the maneuver, calling it remarkable.