Paramedic Saved After Choking

911 Cpr Susan Odom never expected that her training would pay off after teaching hundreds of people how to save lives.

by Tiffany Craig

Published: Thu, August 20, 2009 - 4:55 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, August 20, 2009 - 5:20 pm CST

A paramedic in Atmore has trained many people how to perform CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver. She never expected that the training would be used on her.

Last Friday, Paramedic Susan Odom choked on a banana after working a shift at Atmore Ambulance. She managed to call 9-1-1 but couldn't speak.

The dispatcher recognized her name and number and asked Corporal Arthur Odom to check it out. You see, the cop and the paramedic are actually married.

Corporal Odom got to the couple's home and frantically performed the Heimlich on his wife.

Like so many others, he was just re-certified on the life-saving techniques by his wife. Susan is okay after the ordeal and says it's strange to be on the other side of an emergency. "I've never had to be on the receiving end. Usually, I'm on the care giving end and I had recently re-certified all the officers on CPR. So, it paid off!

The Odom's can laugh about what happened now but also hope their story inspires others to get trained.

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FLOWERCHILD Says:

Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 3:25 pm

Everyone should take a CPR course.

minimay87 Says:

Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 1:54 pm

My husband has tried getting me for the 12 and under. Kind of backfires when I bring my 2 year old and wear my wedding ring. A couple years back before I had my daughter they did bring me a kids menu once. Did not complain. Gave me something to do while I waited for my food. LOL.

SouthernMama82 Says:

Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 10:54 am

i guess she just looks really good for her age.

claycitymadness Says:

Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 10:14 am

minimay can you eat for free on kids nights at restaurants? or get kids tickets at movies? you are lucky anjoy it and try to keep a stress free life!

minimay87 Says:

Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 7:58 am

Could be the same issue me and my husband have. Since I am short and small framed I am mistaken for 13 or 14 at times. If I am with my husband when he is in uniform and he tells them I am his wife they get this, isn’t that illegal look, lol. Even though I am older than him. Good job Corporal Odom, and I am glad that she is ok.

odommdj9633 Says:

Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 7:52 am

No Suthernmama there is not a big age difference. This is my brother and sister-in-law, I am very proud of him. Great job brother!! I am glad things worked out like they did, we may not have Susan if you hadn’t responded when you did.

shrimpfire Says:

Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 6:51 am

I am glad that dispatcher reconized the name and number; way to go

mustuknow Says:

Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 10:01 pm

Kudos to the Officer for using his training!!! We had a dispatcher get chocked while working and could not talk and all she could do was keep paging out our local fire department tones. After she did not answer us the 3rd time deputies and fire personnel converged on the Sheriff’s office and found her choking. You never know when you are going to need basic life saving skills.

Way to go to all those involved!!!

SouthernMama82 Says:

Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 9:30 pm

She looks more like his daughter than wife.