| Trisha Mower and Lisa Peirce are pictured with a large plaque recognizing Mower for her quick thinking and CPR skills that saved Peirce’s life back in May. The Citizen’s Commendation medal was presented to Mower by the State of Utah Department of Public Safety. |
This is a story about an heroic act.
In mid May, earlier this year Lisa Peirce and Trisha Mower were enjoying themselves by having lunch at Balance Rock cafe in Helper. Lisa was eating a French Dip sandwich when a bite lodged in her throat, leaving Lisa unable to breathe immediately. Lisa could feel the food stuck in her throat and was unable to speak or cough. Trisha immediately noticed what was happening and intensely looked at Lisa and asked if she was okay. Lisa was trying to breathe but unable to cough. Lisa said so many thoughts raced through her head. Lisa and Trisha had trained together just months earlier in a CPR class and the thoughts of the class were flashing in Lisa’s head, and she said she just knew what Trisha was thinking. Lisa felt relief that Trisha was trained in CPR, but did not think she would need it, thinking the food would clear.
Trisha asked Lisa again if she was okay and Lisa touched her throat and shook her head no, getting scared and knowing it was now getting serious since she still not able to obtain any breaths. Trisha very calmly said, “Lisa, stand up and I am going to perform the heimlick maneuver on you”. Lisa nodded that she understood and stood up in a slouched position by their table.
Trisha quickly and calmly walked to Lisa and perfectly performed the heimlick and asked Lisa if it was out. Lisa shook her head no. Trisha again performed the thrusting action and this time it moved the object. Lisa was then able to begin to clear her throat. Within a few seconds Lisa was able to finish dislodging the food and began to breathe, and both ladies began to calm down and realize what just happened.
After the ordeal, Lisa told Trisha how scared she was, that she could not even breathe. Lisa said, ” it was the most horrible feeling of not being able to breathe.” Trisha said “Lisa’s eyes were big and round and filling up with tears and she knew something was wrong.” A waitress who witnessed the whole event told Lisa and Trisha she did not know the heimlick maneuver, but she was just getting ready to call the ambulance, when the food cleared. She said she was glad she did not need to call it.
Trisha commented to Lisa that she was afraid she might have hurt her ribs and was worried about breaking them. Lisa’s ribs were sore the next few days, which is incidental, compared to what could have been. Trisha’s next door neighbor, Eric Allred, taught their most recent CPR class. Lisa and her family are thankful to him and to Castleview Hospital and the Red Cross for providing the classes, which both ladies participated in.
Lisa says, “My family and I are so thankful to Trisha for her knowledge and skill of the heimlick maneuver.”
“Trisha is a fantabulous woman and a true friend to the highest degree,” she adds.