CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – A Coral Springs police dispatcher was awarded the Tom Gallagher Memorial Public Safety Award for 2015 for helping save numerous lives during emergency calls, authorities said.
In one recent case, Elizabeth DiBenedetto realized that a cardiologist was choking on a peanut butter sandwich after his wife called to report that her husband was having a heart attack.
As DiBenedetto assures the victim's wife that paramedics are on their way, she continues to ask questions to find out if anything can be done before authorities arrive.
DiBenedetto: "They're on their way, but let's see if we can help him. Let me know, is he conscious right now?"
Caller: "Yeah, he's conscious, but he's gagging. He can't breathe. He's got something stuck in his throat."
DiBenedetto asks if the wife has any idea what her husband might be choking on, and she says he was just eating peanut butter with bread.
DiBenedetto: "OK, listen to me very carefully. This is what we're going to do. He's lying on the floor?"
Caller: "Yeah, he's over the side of the bed. He's getting very weak."
DiBenedetto then gives the wife instructions on how to perform the Heimlich maneuver.
DiBenedetto: "OK, I want you to stand behind him. You said he's lying on the side of the bed. I want you to stand behind him, make a fist, put your arms around his waist. I want you to take the fist hand and place it right in the middle of his stomach, slightly above his navel. Can you do that now?"
Caller: "I'm doing it."
DiBenedetto: "OK. Now you can put the phone down, grasp it with the other hand and I want you to press real hard with quick upward thrusts."
Moments later, the victim is heard groaning and DiBenedetto tells the wife to stop performing the Heimlich maneuver, as the object has now loosened. She then assures the wife that paramedics will arrive shortly to check on her husband.
While the wife insists that it's not necessary since her husband is a doctor, as DiBenedetto tells her, "Plumbers can have leaks in their house."
LISTEN: Full 911 call
DiBenedetto is a 19-year veteran of the Coral Springs Police Department. She also received a police initiative award for helping the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office apprehend a wanted felon.
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