Scare at local water park highlights importance of knowing BLS/CPR Published June 13, 2011 By Bekah Clark 12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS -- The importance of Basic Life Support and CPR training was reinforced for a Randolph family June 5 when their trip to a local water park took a serious turn after another family's small child choked on a grape and stopped breathing. Dr. Shawna Hoffert and her family were in the kiddie pool area when three ladies came running over to get the lifeguard nearby. "At first, I didn't go over there. I didn't want to insert myself into the situation needlessly. I thought they had it under control," said Dr. Hoffert, wife to Capt. Stephen Hoffert of the 559th Flying Training Squadron. Once it became clear the little girl still needed help, Dr. Hoffert, who is trained in BLS, CPR, as well as Advanced Cardiac Life Support, went to see if she could assist. "No one was doing anything for her," she said. "They were just standing there; even the lifeguard. There were no whistle calls, nothing." "I don't even remember how I got to the little girl, I just remember slapping her back to dislodge the grape, when that didn't work, I started abdominal thrusts. Ultimately, I had to put her on her back and start mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions." "On my second breath, I was finally able to get her airway open enough for her to cough up the grape," she said. According to Dr. Hoffert, the situation goes to show why anyone who can should know CPR. "What would have happened if I wasn't there? No one was doing anything for her," she said, explaining that the emergency response team wasn't able to reach the scene until after the little girl coughed up the grape. Dr. Hoffert doesn't blame the lifeguard for not stepping in. "He was just a kid; anyone can freeze up in a situation like that. That's why it's so important for as many people as possible to know CPR." "I especially want parents, grandparents and caregivers to realize how important it is for them to know CPR. This situation could have happened anywhere, I had just fed my kids those same grapes; it could have just as easily happened to one of my kids." Need CPR training? Call the local American Red Cross office at 224-5151.