ACWORTH, Ga. — An Acworth officer said she was just doing her job when she saved an elderly woman from choking earlier this week. But now, the police department is investing in a life-saving tool that Patrol Officer Tamara Severtson used on her call, which could potentially save more lives in the future.
"This is the one I used when I responded to a call on March 19," Severtson said about the LifeVac device she was holding.
The rescue suction device is designed to remove anything obstructing the airway. On Tuesday, Severtson went to an assisted living facility after police received a 911 call in Zone 2 about someone choking.
"They advised that they'd already attempted the Heimlich maneuver, it was not successful, that she was turning blue, and she was not responding or breathing at that time," she said. "When I heard that, I knew that I had to do something. So I made sure I had this ready to go."
She said she rushed inside and found the patient, who is in her 90s, slumped over in her wheelchair. They put her on her back on the floor, and Severtson did a few compressions with the LifeVac.
Her bodycam video showed her in action. 11Alive blurred the video to conceal the patient's identity.
"Alright, I'm going to do it one more time, OK," she told the patient as she used the device.
"Upon the fourth and final one we were able to move her on her side and she was able to regurgitate any of the other blockage that she had in her airway," Severtson said.
What's unique about this call is that Officer Severtson was actually in Zone 1 when the 911 call came in. She said they were short-staffed that day and the Zone 2 officer -- where the incident occurred -- was out on another call. She knew she had to get there fast.
Severtson arrived before the EMS and, fortunately, had a LifeVac with her. The device actually something that no one in the police department has.
"It's just something that I purchased for myself personally," she said.
She has two at home and one in her patrol car.
"Thank goodness that I did have because this is what saved her," she said.
She said the tool is a good secondary tool to have when the Heimlich maneuver doesn't work.
After the call, Severtson said she went to her chief to talk to him about the LifeVac. The department then decided they would move forward with the process of making sure each patrol vehicle has one.
"We would like to recognize and commend Officer Severtson," the news release said. "We are grateful for her dedication and passion for the job."