A school first-aid trainer sprang into action to save a woman choking on her lunch.

Lesley Savage, a staff member at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington, was enjoying her lunch in the sun outside by herself and suddenly started choking on a piece of meat.

She said: "I had taken one mouthful of chicken and realised something was not right.

"I started coughing, suddenly realising the food was stuck in my throat, and coughing didn't appear to be doing anything.

"I remember from my nursing training in emergencies to try to keep the casualty coughing and keep them calm.

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"I told myself 'don't panic' but then I couldn't breathe in – to me it felt like an eternity."

Fortunately, Lynnie Cribben was sitting on the table behind and jumped in to intervene.

Ms Cribben is a trainer on the Injury Minimisation Programme for Schools and teaches children how to administer first aid in emergency situations.

She said: "After an appointment at the JR I was sitting outside the café having a coffee.

"All the tables were full of people having their lunch and I noticed a lady sitting a few tables away wearing her blue scrubs. 

"Lesley started coughing heavily and I found myself watching her as I could see she had been eating, and her cough sounded different to a normal chesty cough.

"After several harder coughs Lesley held her chest, her face turning very red. I figured she was having trouble breathing and by now she was bent over in her chair.

"I ran over and immediately gave her four hard back blows. Lesley coughed and, sounding as if something had dislodged, eventually took a breath.

"I remember her scared eyes as she grabbed my hand looking shocked and relieved all at the same time."

Both women now want to highlight to others the importance of learning life emergency skills.

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Ms Savage said: "This experience has really shaken me and weeks on it’s still very present in my memory. I am so thankful for Lynnie. It all happened so quickly and without her intervention goodness knows what the outcome could have been.

"She saved my life – she is my guardian angel.

"I am forever grateful to her for her intervention and lack of fear to get involved, otherwise who knows what may have happened.

"I cannot stress how important it is for everyone to be aware of lifesaving skills – don't shy away from helping others.

"Follow your instincts, every little helps, even getting attention of others for help is important as time is of the essence."

Ms Cribben added: "The whole incident took just a few moments but the scariest thing for her was no-one close by noticed her choking or coughing, and listening to her afterwards it felt like an eternity while her airway was completely blocked. 

"It has made us both reflect on how important it is to know lifesaving skills – taking notice of anybody we believe to be in trouble, and if we don’t know what to do then shouting for help is the next best thing."