An elderly man suffered a severe choking incident while having lunch in a care home in Arucas. The swift intervention of Civil Guard agents, who initiated resuscitation maneuvers, prevented a tragedy.
A resident of a care home in Arucas, Gran Canaria, was saved thanks to the rapid intervention of Civil Guard agents. On Wednesday, July 22, the man suffered a severe choking incident while having lunch at the facility, located opposite the Main Post of the Benemérita in the town.
A staff member from the centre immediately went to the barracks to request urgent help. The Civil Guard officers arrived at the scene and found the elderly man lying on the floor, semi-conscious and without effective breathing, showing clear signs of airway obstruction.
Without wasting time, the agents began first aid and resuscitation maneuvers to try to restore the affected person's breathing. Meanwhile, the Civil Guard's Operational Services Centre (COS) activated emergency services and requested the collaboration of the Local Police to expedite the arrival of medical personnel.
The maneuvers were successful: the man partially regained his breathing and level of consciousness, which allowed him to be stabilised while medical resources arrived. Shortly after, two ambulances from the Canary Islands Health Service, one for basic life support and another medicalised, arrived at the centre.
The medical team attended to the patient on-site and, after assessing his condition, decided to transfer him to the Doctor Negrín University Hospital in Gran Canaria, where he continued to receive specialised care. According to information provided by the Civil Guard, the affected individual is out of danger and is progressing well.
This incident has highlighted the importance of the public knowing basic first aid techniques. The Civil Guard has reminded that a quick response during the first few minutes can be crucial to saving a life, especially in choking cases, where airway obstruction can cause irreversible damage in just a few minutes.
The Arucas care home, which serves dozens of elderly individuals, has trained staff, but on this occasion, the proximity of the Civil Guard barracks was key. The agents, who carry out surveillance and security tasks in the area, demonstrated their first aid training, which they receive periodically.
Such interventions are not common in the daily work of the Civil Guard, but in emergency situations, their ability to react can make a difference. In this case, the coordination between the agents, the centre's staff, and the medical services allowed the elderly man to receive medical attention as quickly as possible.
The rapid response of the Civil Guard officers, who acted with professionalism and determination, has been praised by both the centre's management and the affected man's family. The Civil Guard has emphasised that training in first aid is an essential part of their agents' preparation, and that in situations like this, knowledge and quick action are fundamental.
The Doctor Negrín Hospital, a reference centre on the island, has specialised units to handle such emergencies. The patient, whose identity has not been revealed, remains hospitalised under observation, although his progress is positive and his life is not in danger.
The Civil Guard has taken this opportunity to reiterate the importance of the public being trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques and airway obstruction maneuvers, as early intervention can save lives. In many cases, the help of a nearby person before the arrival of emergency services is crucial.
This incident in Arucas is an example of how citizen collaboration and the preparedness of security forces can prevent tragedies. The swift action of the agents, who did not hesitate to apply their acquired knowledge, has been key to allowing the elderly man to continue his life normally.
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