Off-duty officer saves choking 4-year-old in Lublin

2 August 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

An off-duty police officer saves a choking 4-year-old in Lublin. The swift Heimlich maneuver and fast EMS response prevented a tragedy.

An off-duty police officer saves child after a 4-year-old boy began choking in Lublin. The officer, returning from duty, cleared the airway with the Heimlich maneuver and helped save the child.

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Off-duty police officer saves child in Lublin

The incident unfolded in the afternoon on Bolesława Ducha street in Lublin. Senior constable Patryk Zadworny saw a crowd and rushed over. Consequently, he found a small boy who had stopped breathing. Moreover, the child traveled with his grandparents. However, the boy stopped responding to commands and external stimuli.

What happened on scene

The officer calmly instructed bystanders to call an ambulance. In addition, he began first aid immediately. He coordinated with the child’s grandfather and applied the Heimlich maneuver. As a result, the airway cleared within moments. The boy then began to breathe again. Therefore, the officer handed the child to emergency medical services on arrival. Furthermore, authorities confirmed the child faced no further life threat.

How the Heimlich maneuver works and safety notes

The Heimlich maneuver involves abdominal thrusts to expel an obstruction. For young children, responders usually start with up to five back blows. Then, if needed, they perform up to five abdominal thrusts. However, responders avoid abdominal thrusts on infants under one year. In addition, rescuers do not use them on pregnant people. If the victim loses consciousness, call 112 and begin CPR immediately.

Why this matters to residents and expats

First aid knowledge can decide life or death in seconds. Consequently, learning the Heimlich and basic CPR matters for parents and caregivers. Moreover, public servants often act outside formal duty to help citizens. Therefore, understanding local emergency systems helps you respond better.

In Poland, call 112 for any emergency. In addition, the ambulance service falls under the National Health Fund (NFZ), which funds state medical care. For clarity, NFZ stands for the National Health Fund (the state health insurer). Also note PESEL: Poland’s national ID number used for medical and public records (PESEL identifies a resident). Furthermore, ZUS handles pensions and social insurance (ZUS equals Social Insurance Institution).

Expats should know that police may administer fines called mandats for certain minor offences. For context, a mandat is a fine issued on the spot by police. However, in emergencies, the priority for officers remains saving lives. In addition, many local NGOs and community centers offer first aid courses in English. Therefore, seek certified courses if you need hands-on training.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you face an emergency in Poland, dial 112 immediately. Moreover, when an ambulance arrives, present any ID and PESEL if available. In addition, register with a local GP via the NFZ for ongoing care. Finally, you can find English-language first aid courses in major cities like Lublin, Warsaw, and Kraków to build confidence.

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