CHEMS Honors Young Man for Saving Life

8/10/2018

SCRANTON, Pa. (Aug. 10, 2018) – Commonwealth Health Emergency Medical Services recently honored Dominick Argenta, a 16-year-old restaurant employee for coming to the rescue of a patron who was choking.

Dominick was working at Victoria’s Gourmet Cafe & Restaurant, Scranton, when he noticed the 80-year-old woman was choking. Her family tried to perform the Heimlich maneuver but did not know the proper technique. Fortunately, Dominick did and put his training into practice and his quick response led to a successful outcome.

The 911 call reported a woman was choking, not breathing and turning blue. When the CHEMS crew arrived on the scene, they found a very stable woman surrounded by relieved family members – all because of Dominick’s actions.

CHEMS honored Dominick at a brief ceremony for acting “without hesitation which undoubtedly saved this patient’s life.”

From left are: Kirk Hinkley, M.D., medical director, CHEMS; Dominick Argenta, and Erin Dalia, CHEMS paramedic.