911 Makes Connection to Restore Boy’s Breath

A sheriff’s deputy working by telephone from the Santa Clarita Valley office directed the parents of a choking 2-year-old boy through the Heimlich maneuver, possibly saving his life, officials said Tuesday.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said Deputy Jeff Berry took a call on the 911 emergency line at 6:30 p.m. Monday from Linda Kukulka, who was frantic because her son Christopher was choking on food in their Saugus home.

Berry calmly told her what to do while immediately alerting paramedics, officials said. Kukulka relayed the information to her husband, Jerry, who was trying to clear their son’s throat. The call lasted only a minute or so and included the following exchange:

“My son is choking on a piece of hot dog! My son is choking!”

“How old is he?”

“Two years old.”

“Is he crying?”

“Hurry up! Hurry! What can I do?”

“Lay him down.”

“He’s laying down.”

“Open his mouth . . . put your hand on his stomach . . . and push . . . push.”

“He’s got the meat out!”

“Is he breathing?”

“He’s breathing and crying now.”

“The Fire Department will be there shortly.”

“Thank you.”

On Tuesday, the Kukulkas said Christopher, who was treated and released at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in Valencia, was doing fine.

“I think together we all worked well and Chris is OK because of it,” Jerry Kukulka said.