Emily T. Gardner
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Spartanburg Community College Corporate & Community Education (CCE)
November 2021
I have been married for six years, and my husband and I have a beautiful, spunky 3-year-old girl. We live in Spartanburg with our five rescue pups. I enjoy riding motorcycles with my husband and hanging out with friends. I enjoy being an EMT, and am currently in the process of getting my Paramedic degree.
I have always had an interest in working in the medical field. Before this class, I was a CNA for four years. I’ve always had a passion for caring for and helping others. Seeing the impact of several of my family members who are also in the medical field was inspirational.
My top takeaway from this program comes from a life-changing event in April of 2022. My family and best friend’s family traveled to Road Atlanta to watch the MotoAmerica superbike races. My in-laws joined us the next day for the final race. We had planned to cook steaks for lunch and hang out for a bit before the race began. My friend and I were in the camper finishing up last-minute dishes while everyone was eating outside right next to the trailer under the canopy.
I so happened to look out of the camper's window and observed my husband doing the Heimlich maneuver on his dad. I couldn’t grasp what I was seeing, and the following events seemed like an eternity when in reality were just a few minutes. I tried to open the camper door, which had taken me forever. Once outside, I stood facing my husband as he continued doing the Heimlich. All I could hear from behind me was someone yelling, “he’s choking on his steak.” At this point, I’m looking at my husband, expecting him to “fix” the situation. Apparently, the Heimlich was not working, and I knew I had to intervene. I knew I had to attempt a finger sweep to dislodge the steak. Due to his jaw being locked, I could not try the maneuver. The Heimlich continued to be unsuccessful, and my husband advised that he could not hold him up any longer due to his unconsciousness. At this point, our friend called 911. I instructed my husband to lay his father down on the ground. It was evident he was in respiratory distress and wasn’t breathing, which could lead to cardiac arrest or death. Knowing this, I began CPR immediately. After a round of compressions, I instructed my husband to help me roll him onto his side, where I attempted the finger sweep again. It was a successful maneuver, and the streak was dislodged.
I could see the color coming back to his face, and he began breathing again. After assessing him for a few moments, he asked if he could get out of the sun. With assistance, he was moved to the shade, where I continued to assess what I could, like his resorption, heart rate, and alertness. He spoke to us and said, “I thought I was gone.” A few minutes later, fire and EMS arrived, where the Paramedic and EMT further assessed him. Everything checked out normal, given the circumstances that just unfolded.
My biggest challenge or hurdle was balancing attending class, studying, working, and being a mother to a toddler and a wife. It’s not impossible, and many people do it, but it’s not easy, that’s for sure.
Thanks to what I learned in the classroom and hands-on lab time, I was able to change the outcome of a serious medical situation. I’m thankful for the fantastic, knowledgeable teachers I had who both shared this knowledge with me and pushed me to do my best. They always encouraged me and wanted to see me succeed.
