Eagle Scout for Pueblo Colorado Troop 13 Acts Decisively to Save Two Lives

Oct. 14, 2009 - PRLog -- Meet Chase Trimble.  He’s a waiter at Farradays’ in the Isle of Capri in Black Hawk, Colorado.  He’s an avid snowboarder.  He’s a life-saver – twice in less than one week.

My wife, Karen, and I were enjoying an excellent dinner for our 10th wedding anniversary and 18th together.  We had commented at how fun and enjoyable Chase was making our dining experience.  He was an excellent waiter.  During dinner he came to the table to let us know that the restaurant would buy our dessert for our anniversary.  He went on to tell us what desserts they have.  He got to Crème Brouillette and I decided that we would have that – it was the first dessert Karen and I shared on our first date.  It was HUGE!  But wait, there’s a bit to tell about before we finally got the dessert!

As I held up my hand, pointing, to indicate we would have that – I couldn’t say anything.  I had decided to eat and talk at the same time – not a good thing.  Karen was sitting across from me and I tried to either swallow or spit up my (unchewed and too large) piece of steak.  You can’t talk when you are choking.  I looked at Karen and pointed to my throat and she asked if I was okay – I shook my head no.  Chase asked me ‘Are you good’ and I shook my head no and pointed to my back.  He went to my back and gave me three hard whacks and asked if that helped – I shook my head no, again.  Karen had long been up and at my back but I wasn’t hearing anything and could feel things not going well.  I really thought I was about to do a face plant into my plate; but, I really never worried.  Karen was right there and Chase was in motion.  I did hear him say that he was going to do the Heimlich, but I couldn’t stand up.  I recall that he reached around me and gave two quick thrusts – I shook my head again and really felt like slumping.  He gave another big thrust and I could feel air rushing in as I drooled my steak out.

That is how I met Chase Trimble.

I thought, and said, that the restaurant must have trained him well, but that wasn’t it.  It turns out that Chase is an Eagle Scout out of Pueblo, Colorado (awarded 06/20/2001 from Troop 13).  He had also saved the life of a cook just 2-3 days before that.  The cook was choking on a piece of lettuce and had turned blue.  He told us that before that he had never used his skills.  Could have fooled us!  He was quick, decisive, and responded without hesitation.

Chase and I have a few things in common.  I was also a Boy Scout (working on my Life rank when we moved) and we were both in traumatic motor vehicle collisions with closed brain injuries that resulted in short-term memory loss.  He faced much more traumatic injuries and an induced coma.  His was about seven years ago and mine was nine.  In the last couple years we both realized the progress we had made with our memories – not writing as much down and noticing some general life-style improvements.  Truly, only people like Chase and I understand how exciting this is and we got excited just having someone to share our experiences with that truly understands.

I don’t know Chase’s family, he did tell us a little bit.  I can tell you that his parents raised a young man that was meant to be where he was – for both me and the cook.  His Boy Scout leaders, who he praised, did an excellent job.  He not only saved my life, he touched ours deeply.  I am, and forever will be, honored to know Chase.  He saved my life.  He has shown that he will always ‘Be Prepared’.

Karen and I went on to Mesa Verde and the train.  We decided that we would do as much as we could on our trip.  We went on to Colorado Gators, Great Sand Dunes, and Zapata Falls.  We took the scenic drive to all those places and another scenic route back.  We spent over 96 more hours together, grateful of Chase’s actions that gave us those memories (648 photos) and many more to come.

Now you also know Chase.  Thank You, Chase.  Thank You.

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