HCSO detective who saved 4-week-old infant describes the stressful situation

EUREKA, Calif. — Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Detective Nick Carnahan is speaking out about his quick actions that saved the life of a four-week-old infant in Eureka.

On April 13, Detective Carnahan, along with Corporal Sydney Arnold, responded to the call of an infant in distress. Bodycam video released by the HCSO, with the family's permission, shows Detective Carnahan performing CPR on the infant after she aspirated. Viewer discretion is advised.

"I knew all I needed to do was figure out what obstruction was in her airway and then get her air. So the only way I've been taught is to do back blows like I was doing that you could see," Detective Carnahan said. "When I rolled her back over the first time I could see maybe mucus and phlegm built up in her nose and mouth. So the only thing I could think of at that time was just suck it out of her nose with my mouth."

The baby was then taken to an ambulance with Carnahan riding along in what he calls a stressful ride.

"The ride over there itself was super stressful just because they were trying to suck everything out of the infant's mouth and throat while we were attaching her up to all the chords and everything so it was chaotic, but it was a controlled chaos," Carnahan said. "She was eventually stable. I know she was admitted to the NICU at some point for a few days. The last time I talked to the family and the mom, she is at home. She's fine. It sounded like a freak accident from her aspirating and vomiting"

Carnahan went on to say he had anxiety for about two days after that not knowing what happen, but felt relieved knowing the baby was back home with her mom.

HCSO points out that choking is one of the leading causes of injury and death in children, causing the death of one child every five days. The agency also says First Aid and CPR save lives. You can find more info on what to do during a choking emergency here and view Humboldt Bay Fire's local CPR classes here.