Brunswick County detention officers save inmate from choking

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Two Brunswick County Detention Officers were recently commended for their quick actions that saved an inmate from choking.

Officer Covington escorted the inmate to the intake area to give her a meal tray late on Tuesday.

While Officer Covington was standing in the intake area talking with Officer Boyd, the inmate began to ask the officers a question and stopped mid-question, bending forward at the waist in a manner that looked as if she was going to fall over.

Officer Covington asked if she was okay, but she could not respond.

Covington entered the intake area and asked if she was choking to which she responded by nodding yes. Officer Boyd called for medical assistance while Officer Covington then seated the inmate on the bench to keep her from falling and gave her three firm blows between the shoulder blades, dislodging the blockage, but it was unclear if the inmate’s airway was totally clear as she continued to gasp for breath.

Officer Covington gave one abdominal thrust and asked if she could breath. The inmate responded, “yes” and nodded.

Medical staff soon arrived and took over care of the inmate.