THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412160216
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
The first time Karen Diddle saved a student from choking, a fireball shot straight out of the child's mouth.
Three years later, when Diddle was summoned to help another choking student, she was rewarded.
``A nickel popped out!'' said Diddle, a third-grade teacher at Olive Branch Elementary School.
Although she never has had any formal training in CPR or first aid, Diddle has been able to save the lives of two choking children with the Heimlich maneuver, a technique used to dislodge an object stuck in the windpipe by applying sudden, sharp pressure to the abdomen.
``The student who was choking on the fireball was trying to bring it up himself,'' Diddle recalled. ``First, I was trying to hit him on the back - you know, the typical stuff - and nothing seemed to be helping. So I got behind him and did the Heimlich.''
In the second incident, which occurred just last month, Diddle was teaching math when a student rushed into her classroom, beckoning her to help a choking student down the hall. Recalling the story of the fireball, the teacher of the student in trouble immediately sent for Diddle.
``The teacher was out there with the student, trying to keep her calm. It seemed like the student had gotten it (the nickel) cleared, and I asked her if she was all right. She shook her head and she immediately started choking again, so I got behind her and did the Heimlich,'' Diddle said.
Diddle, 32, a Pennsylvania native, moved to Portsmouth 11 years ago to take a teaching position. She's taught third grade at Olive Branch Elementary for 10 of her 11 years.
``In third grade, they're still young enough to be sweet, but they're old enough to do some things for themselves,'' she said. Of teaching, Diddle thrives on ``the children, the challenge and the excitement.''
``I was just thinking today how much I enjoy it when I see the children have learned something,'' she said. ``We teach them cursive in third grade, and that's a basic thing, but you can see a big learning leap there . . .
``They come to you not knowing where to begin, and they leave writing in cursive!''
Name: Karen Huffman Diddle
Nickname: Diddle
Neighborhood: West Cradock
Number of years in Portsmouth: 11
Birthplace: Waynesburg, Pa.
Birthdate: Jan. 29, 1962
Occupation: Third-grade teacher
What other job than your own would you like? Youth minister or professional actress
Marital Status: Married
Children: Expecting a baby in July
Fondest childhood memory: Sitting on the landing at the top of the stairs with my brother and sister on Christmas morning, waiting for Mom and Dad to call us down
What song or book title best describes your life? ``Be Thou My Vision''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? Dinner out for my friends
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Hillary Clinton to see how the president's life really is
Biggest accomplishment: There have been several ``challenge'' students in my career who I have been able to reach and teach
Most embarrassing moment: I can't distinguish only one embarrassing moment.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My nagging side
Perfect way to spend the day: Reading and relaxing by the pool
I can't resist: Chunky Monkey Ice Cream
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Cafe Europa
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Centenary United Methodist Church
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Lack of revenue
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
More revenue
Less bad press
Safer
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? Everything! ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
by CNB