Floyd man's Georgia trip results in saving a life

by Don Johnson

The trip to Atlanta, Ga., was a happy event for Floyd resident Roger Hollandsworth, family members and a friend as they enjoyed one another’s company and looked forward to the big Chick-fil-A Bowl football game between Virginia Tech and the University of Tennessee.
It was New Year’s Eve and, having just arrived, Roger, Wayne Goff, and Goff’s daughter and son-in-law decided to begin their fun weekend with dinner at the nearby Ruth Chris Steak House.
While waiting for their meals to be served, Roger heard someone behind him say “she’s choking.” After 30 years with Floyd County Rescue Squad, without disturbing his dinner party, Roger instinctively slipped out of his chair and walked to a nearby table where people were obviously disturbed by a woman who was struggling to breathe.
He immediately recognized that she was not exchanging air and was growing pale. Introducing himself as a member of Floyd County’s volunteer rescue squad, Roger proceeded to perform abdominal thrusts (also know as the Heimlich Maneuver).
“After four thrusts, a piece of steak was dislodged and she began to breathe again,” Roger says, adding, “it happened so quickly and quietly, hardly anyone else in the restaurant knew it had happened.”
The woman and her husband were naturally elated with Roger’s quick response.
In a letter to the rescue squad, her husband related what happened, saying, “It was a very frightening experience for all of us, especially my wife, and it is refreshing to know that there are trained specialists ‘out there’ who are willing to help others in a time of need.” He enclosed a generous donation to the rescue squad.
According to Roger, “situations like this happen frequently. Someone chokes on their food and can’t breathe and others don’t know what needs to be done. They have to get air quickly or they die. You never know when you’ll need it to save a life.”
“It’s not a skill you’ll use often,” he added. “This is the first time in 30 years with the rescue squad that I used it, but with it, you may become a hero to someone.”
(For CPR training, readers can contact the New River Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross in Radford at 540-639-2140, the American Heart Association in Roanoke or leave a message at Floyd County Rescue Squad at 745-2800 and someone will get back to you.)