Winter’s Story
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer
The content in this post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In any emergency, always call 999. Jo Whalen is an HCPC Registered Paramedic and RCUK Instructor — this content reflects her professional knowledge and personal lived experience, and is not a replacement for formal first aid training.
Written By Johnee (Jo) Whalen HCPC Critical Care Paramedic, NHS Resuscitation Practitioner, RCUK Life Support Instructor
Last reviewed: March 2026
Winter's Story: The Night That Changed Everything — And Why I Created Project CPR
I want to tell you something I've never shared publicly in full.
Not because it's easy — but because I think it might be the most important thing I ever write.
This is the story of my daughter Winter. She was 13 days old when she nearly died in my arms.
And the reason she didn't — the only reason — is that I'm a paramedic.
The Night Everything Changed
Winter had only just come home from hospital. She was tiny, perfect, and still so new to the world.
Then one night, everything changed in seconds.
She suffered a severe airway obstruction — her doctors believe it was mucus remnants from her lungs, a rare complication of being born by caesarean section.
My partner called 999 while I started back blows and tried to clear her airway.
She couldn't breathe. Her face started turning purple. Her eyes filled with panic — the kind of panic where she couldn’t understand what was happening, only that something was terribly wrong.
I brought her outside onto the front lawn so the ambulance could see us the moment they arrived.
And then I had to make decisions — fast, clinical, terrifying decisions — that no parent should ever have to make.
What I Had to Do Next
She was fully obstructed. Nothing was moving. I had to move to rescue breathing.
Two breaths. Three. Four. Five. Nothing was getting through.
Her mouth was filling with foam, saliva, it had to be mucus. I knew that logically. But she was also my baby. My Winter.
I yelled for my partner to get our LifeVac Anti-Choking Device, but I made a split-second call: we didn't have the time to wait.
So I reversed my rescue breaths and tried to suck the obstruction out myself.
The universe was kind.
It worked. I cleared her airway enough for her to take a breath. And then she cried.
The sound of her cry was music to my ears as I realized that we had almost lost her.
That cry — I will never forget it for as long as I live.
Forty Minutes Blue. Sixty-Five Minutes for an Ambulance.
Winter had been blue — with poor oxygen — for 40 full minutes.
I had to continue to give her back slaps from time to time and held her in a recovery position, clearing her airway every few minutes.
The ambulance didn't arrive until 65 minutes after my partner called.
When they arrived, the crew had no paediatric equipment. No experience with neonatal emergencies. They were doing their best — but this was beyond their training.
We spent a week in hospital. Winter needed frequent suctioning, struggled to eat, and had to be monitored constantly. It was one of the hardest weeks of my life.
Why I'm Telling You This
I thank the universe every single day that the stars aligned for Winnies sake.
My partner and I have talked about that night many, many times.
Every single time, we come back to the same thought:
“If this had happened to a family without first aid training, Winter wouldn’t be here.”
That thought doesn't leave you.
And it's the reason Project CPR exists.
Not because I want to scare you. Not because I want you to lie awake at night running through worst-case scenarios.
But because I know — first-hand, with 13 years of paediatric emergency experience behind me — that the difference between a parent who knows what to do and a parent who doesn't can be everything.
What I Want for You
I am a Critical Care Paramedic. A Resuscitation Practitioner. A Paediatric Specialist. I have been trained for exactly this kind of emergency.
And I was still terrified.
But I knew what to do. And because I knew what to do, my daughter is alive.
That's what I want for every parent who finds their way to Project CPR.
Not certification. Not jargon. Not a 12-hour course that leaves you more overwhelmed than when you started.
Just the skills, the confidence, and the calm that comes from knowing — really knowing — what to do if your child ever needs you.
From worried to ready. That's our mission.
We can only hope that no one ever has to experience the trauma that we have, and if they do, that they may be prepared to help their loved ones.
With all my love - Jo
If Winter's story has made you want to be more prepared — start here.
I created the Choking Rescue Blueprint so that every parent has the clear, step-by-step guide I wish had been in more parents' hands that night. It's free. It takes five minutes to read. And it could be the most important thing you ever download.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is airway obstruction?
Airway obstruction can happen when mucus, fluid, food or other material blocks the airway and prevents the person from breathing normally. It can look like laboured breathing, colour changes (going blue or purple), or unusual sounds. If you suspect your child cannot breathe, call 999 immediately. Find more information on the NHS website.
What should I do if my baby stops breathing?
Call 999 immediately. If you're trained, begin infant rescue breathing. If your baby is choking, use infant back blows. This is exactly why first aid training matters — so you know what to do before you ever need it. My free Choking Rescue Blueprint walks you through the steps calmly and clearly.
Can I really learn baby first aid without an in-person course?
Yes — and I say this as someone who teaches both in person and online. The most important thing isn't where you learn, it's that you practice. Many parents who've taken Panic to Prepared have gone on to use those skills in real emergencies. Format matters less than knowledge and a bit of practice.
Is the LifeVac device suitable for newborns?
The LifeVac Anti-Choking Device is suitable for different ages, including infants. Always check the manufacturer's guidance carefully and ensure you use the correct size mask for your child. The LifeVac doesn’t replace the choking rescue first aid, but rather complements it, should traditional first aid measures fail.