my correspondence with boise mayor david bieter re: a city fireman who told a tv reporter he...
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July 2, 2014
The Hon. David H. Bieter Mayor50 N. Capitol BlvdBoise, ID 83702
Dear Mayor Bieter,
Via Firefighter, police officer team up to rescue man in canal by reporter Scott Evans, KTVB News, Boise, June 24, 2014:
A man pulled from the New York Canal in Boise is recovering thanks to quick thinking from the men who protect and serve in the capital city.
...Someone called police Monday afternoon, saying that there was a man, later identified only as Mr. Martinez, screaming for help and struggling to stay afloat in the New York Canal.
..."He's unconscious, not breathing, no pulse,” said (Boise firefighter Brent) Matthews as he talked about Martinez. “We get him out. I had just recently read a few articles on the effectiveness of performing the Heimlich maneuver on drowning victims before starting CPR."
The Heimlich maneuver proved effective. Matthews was able to get a lot of water and sand out of the man's lungs before they started CPR, which lasted for 25 minutes.
Per reports and statements compiled on my website, leading medical and water safety organizations, including the Institute of Medicine, the American Red Cross, and the American Heart Association, have unanimously warned against performing the Heimlich maneuver in response to near-drowning.
Via a June 3, 2011 Washington Post report:
In Tampa, which has one of the highest drowning rates in the country, Dr. James Orlowski said he has documented nearly 40 cases where rescuers performing the Heimlich maneuver have caused complications for thevictim. Orlowski is chief of pediatrics and pediatric intensive care at University Community Hospital in Tampa.
Today the office of the Ada County Coroner informed me that the victim in the KTVB story was named Felix Martinez and that he died on Saturday, June 28.
This is to respectfully request that:
1) You ask the office of the Ada County Coroner to conduct an inquest.
2) You initiate a review to determine if Mr. Matthews's response was in compliance with applicable standards and guidelines.
3) You ask Mr. Matthews to provide you with copies of the articles he had “recently read...on the effectiveness of performing the Heimlich maneuver on drowning victims before starting CPR" and that you provide me with his response.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to your reply. If I can provide additional information, don't hesitate to get in touch. Please feel free to communicate with me via e-mail.
Sincerely,
Peter M. Heimlich3630 River Hollow RunDuluth, GA 30096ph: (208)474-7283website: http://medfraud.infoblog: http://the-sidebar.come-mail: [email protected]
cc:
Boise City Council (% Amanda Brown)Erwin Sonnenberg, Beki Jumonville, Office of the Ada County Coroner
Subject: RE: inquiry re: recent drowningFrom: David Bieter <[email protected]>Date: 7/18/2014 4:52 PMTo: Peter Heimlich <[email protected]>
Dear Mr. Heimlich,
I am in receipt of your request for an inquest into the death of Felix Martinez.
The Boise Fire Department spoke with the firefighter involved in the rescue of Mr. Martinez, reviewed the written report and checked with others, including supervisors who were on the scene, and has confirmed that theHeimlich maneuver was not performed on the drowning victim. When the victim was pulled from the canal, he was picked up by the waist and rolled over to begin CPR.
Unfortunately, the subsequent media report of this incident was confusing because the firefighter’s quote reflected his thought process on the importance of getting water out of the victim rather than performing the Heimlich maneuver on drowning victims. However, the department’s subsequent review of actions involved in the June 23rd rescue found responders appropriately maintained the expected standard of care.
I hope this clarifies your questions and puts you concerns to rest.
Sincerely,
David H. BieterMayor
Subject: Re: inquiry re: recent drowningFrom: Peter Heimlich <[email protected]>Date: 7/18/2014 5:46 PMTo: MayorBieter <[email protected]>CC: Harrison Berry <[email protected]>, "Poppino, Nate" <[email protected]>, "Berg, Sven" <[email protected]>, "Nielsen, Jerrod" <[email protected]>, [email protected], "Morris, Kate" <[email protected]>
The Hon. David H. BieterMayor50 N. Capitol BlvdBoise, ID 83702
Dear Mayor Bieter,
Thank you for your e-mail this afternoon in response to my July 2nd letter. You didn't answer my third question -- please advise.
I have another question, please. Have you attempted to obtain a copy of KTVB's interview with Boise firefighter Brent Matthews? If so, please provide details. If not, do you intend to request a copy from KTVB?
Thank you for your continued attention and I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Peter M. HeimlichDuluth, GA 30096ph: (208)474-7283website: http://medfraud.infoblog: http://the-sidebar.come-mail: [email protected]
cc:
Boise City Council (% Amanda Brown)Harrison Berry/Boise WeeklyVicki S. Gowler, Nate Poppino, Sven Berg/The Idaho StatesmanKate Morris, Jerrod Nielsen, Scott Evans/KTVB-TV News