Orange County dispatcher helps woman save mother choking on marshmallow

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (KABC) -- Janet Williams couldn't breathe.

"I thought at that moment, that's it, I'm going to die," Williams said.

While drinking hot chocolate with her two daughters at her home in Laguna Niguel, a marshmallow got stuck in her throat. Neither daughter knew what to do, so they called 911.

"Tell me when you're ready. With your other hand, grab your fist and quickly jerk inward and upward. Do it now," dispatcher David Paschke said.

Paschke talked Williams' daughters through nearly two minutes of the Heimlich maneuver.

The marshmallow came out and Williams began to breathe normally. She says there's no way to express her gratitude for the dispatcher who helped save her life.

"I'm thankful that he was there and I'm thankful to my daughters that they could help me out, we can have another Christmas together," Williams said.

Paschke, Orange County Fire Authority's Senior Communications Supervisor, insists he was just doing his job.

"We simply give the instructions and provide the service. The daughter did the work," he said.

Williams says she's doing fine. She hopes her scary moment encourages others to learn a life-saving skill.

"Learn the Heimlich maneuver, teach it to your family, teach it to your friends," Williams said.

The Orange County Fire Authority works with the American Red Cross to offer monthly CPR classes.