Choking safety reminder after Carman’s Kitchen founder’s life-threatening experience

Carolyn Creswell doesn’t remember the night she choked on a piece of steak in late 2024, but she knows husband Pete helped save her life when he jumped into action at their rural Gippsland property, while Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics were on their way.

The Carman’s Kitchen Founder and Managing Director was hosting friends for dinner when she suddenly began to choke and collapsed, hitting her head on the ground and losing consciousness.

Pete’s training as a lifesaver kicked in and he rolled her onto her side and called Triple Zero (000). Triple Zero Victoria call-taker Imogen Disney directed him to begin life-saving CPR.

With the support of other guests, Pete continued giving effective CPR while AV paramedics were on their way to the remote property, helping to keep Carolyn alive until the AV crews were able to take over.

"Pete did absolutely everything right when he called 000,” Imogen said.

“He gave the address clearly and quickly so we could get help on its way immediately, and in spite of everything that was going on, he stayed very calm and listened to all of my instructions so we could keep doing CPR together until paramedics arrived.

“His actions helped save Carolyn's life that day."

When AV Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics arrived at the scene, Carolyn was just managing to breathe on her own and had a faint pulse.

“We tried to help her breathe using a bag valve mask, but it was clear that her airways had a blockage. She was turning blue due to a lack of oxygen so we used Magill forceps and a laryngoscope to view Carolyn’s airway, locate the blockage and manually remove what turned out to be two pieces of steak,” ALS paramedic Trent Jackson said.

Initially, Carolyn remained in a critical condition, struggling to breathe on her own. There was also the added complication of a potential head injury from when she collapsed onto the ground.

“We continued using the bag valve mask to help her breathe as we carefully moved her to the ambulance. After a while, her colour started to come back and she regained consciousness,” Trent said.

By the time a specialised AV air ambulance helicopter crew airlifted Carolyn to The Alfred, her condition had significantly improved. Carolyn spent a week in hospital being treated for a cracked sternum, multiple broken ribs and concussion.

The mother of four said that life had felt ‘doubly special’ since the incident, and she was incredibly proud of her hero husband.

“Sharing my story is a way to thank those who stepped up in a terrifying moment, and to remind everyone how important first aid is,” Carolyn said.

“I am grateful every day for the professionalism and calm of the team that helped save my life. Their incredible care made all the difference. The support from Ambulance Victoria paramedics, the Triple Zero Victoria call-taker, and everyone involved was incredible. I am so proud to live in Australia with this level of care.”

Carolyn is also appreciative of the first aid training Pete received through Life Saving Victoria, with the family all members of Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club.

Trent said choking can quickly become a life-threatening emergency, so it’s important to know what to do.

“The most important thing is to encourage the patient to cough while they’re able to – that’s the best way they can dislodge the blockage,” Trent said.

“If the cough does not work and they’re still conscious, give five firm back blows and five sharp chest thrusts, checking between each to see if the blockage has cleared.

“Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if the patient becomes unconscious or is an infant, or if initial first aid is unable to clear the blockage.

“The bystander CPR given to Carolyn helped keep her alive, because it would have acted like chest thrusts to help move the blockage enough that she could breathe slightly on her own. If she had stopped breathing entirely, she would have gone into cardiac arrest.”