Life Saving Testimonials

from professionals

Peter Schlegel, Country Western Singer

August 11, 2006 “I was on the opposite end of the table. I looked down and saw my drummer stand up and [he] started bending over.” Schlegel recognized Lininger’s life was in danger. As Schlegel puts it, “He was gasping, unable to speak.” Keyboard player, Jeff King attempted the famed life saving upward thrust but failed. Schlegel immediately sprang into action. Within seconds Schlegel was at his drummer’s side saying, “Let me try.” Schlegel delivered Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) just above the diaphragm causing the lodged piece of meat to catapult out of the victim’s airway. Schlegel recalls, “It just shot out and ironically he [Lininger] extended his hand and caught it.” Schlegel’s extensive Emergency Medical Services (EMS) experience as an EMS helicopter pilot and Ohio state trooper training saved the day for drummer, Rich Lininger.

Country Western singer, Pete Schlegel,                                                                                     
“It Takes A Whole Lotta Liquor to Like Her"
Hagerstown, Maryland

Angelo J. Loumbas, Esq., Eckhart Kolak LLC

Angelo J. Loumbas (pictured above) choked on a piece of meat while celebrating his birthday on April 30, 2006. Loumbas recalls failed attempts to save him at his parents’ home saying, “My wife tried, but she didn’t know how to do it. She had the right idea, but didn’t use enough force. My father gave me back blows, well intended but failed.” Loumbas recalls the life saving event saying, “I had not panicked because I knew she [sister, Stephanie Natalie] knew how to do the Heimlich maneuver.” Natalie delivered the life saving maneuver on instinct per her admission stating, “I just instantly turned around. It took only once and it dislodged.” Loumbas stated the dislodged meat flew a few feet away on to the floor.

Scott W. Petersen, Esq., Holland & Knight LLP

Dear Carol,

This last weekend, my wife and I were in Northern Wisconsin (Minocqua). Last Friday night, we went to dinner with another couple at the Minocqua Country Club. Midway through dinner, the guy suddenly looked up, grabbed a glass of water, drank some and spit it out (into the glass on on himself). He got up an wandered off to the bathroom where he barely made it into a stall and grabbed the sides of the toilet. I had realized something was quite wrong and I had followed right on his heels. I followed him right into the stall, put my arms around him (grabbed one wrist, fist underneath) and gave an easy pull. Out popped a large piece of lobster. He was immediately fine after taking a gasping breath.

We then went out and resumed dinner. He introduced me the next day - as "the guy who saved his life." I have to say it was a very strange experience. Obviously he did the wrong thing by getting up and leaving (there was no one in the bathroom). But I knew instinctively that he was choking. He may have gotten it out himself but maybe not. I did the Heimlich once on my dog who was choking on a bone.
I know you hear stories like this all the time, Carol, but I thought I'd mention it. The Heimlich maneuver really works. I told my daughter (age 28) about this and she was wondering if there was a course downtown or near North where she might take CPR/Heimlich/first aid. Thank you!

Best regards,

Scott W. Petersen
Partner, Holland & Knight LLP