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Wingman saves co-worker’s life

  • Published
  • By Kandis West
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  On Sept. 19, Kenneth Grimshaw was stopped right in his tracks.
   The 76th Maintenance Wing aircraft mechanic's breath was taken away, literally, by a seemingly harmless object no bigger than a fingertip, a peanut M&M.
   The husband and father of three felt his consciousness slipping away with each wheeze.
   "I was wheezing and trying to get air, I was so close to passing out," Mr. Grimshaw said.
   Mr. Grimshaw was walking in front of Bldg. 3102 casually eating peanut M&M's when one piece was instantly lodged in his throat.
   "It wasn't like I put a whole handful in my mouth, it was just a couple," Mr. Grimshaw said.
   He attempted to dislodge the candy himself, and soon dropped to his knees. That is when his unlikely savior following behind him came to his rescue.
   Jason Givens, also a 76th MXW aircraft mechanic, noticed he had stopped walking.
   "I thought he was just joking until he started changing colors and getting pale," Mr. Givens said.
   Mr. Givens then stood Mr. Grimshaw up and hit him on the back and the piece of candy came out almost immediately, Mr. Givens said.
   "If I were by myself, things could have turned out different," Mr. Grimshaw said.
   Mr. Grimshaw said it was odd that Mr. Givens saved him because years ago, they used to play basketball together; however, both were so competitive that they didn't like each other for years. Then, two years ago they began working together, still not expecting to build a friendship. Overtime, the two have become friends.
   Mr. Grimshaw bought Mr. Givens lunch for his heroic efforts, but maybe he should have bought him some candy ... a pack of lifesavers, the chewy kind.