In a display of quick action and teamwork, two Senior Living Advisors from Assisted Living Locators turned heroes at a Scottsdale restaurant.

Dustin Baker, Owner/Senior Living Advisor of Assisted Living Locators East Valley, and Rachel Wasserstrom, Owner/Senior Living Advisor of Assisted Living Locators Scottsdale, saved the life of a choking diner Nov. 15 at Montauk Restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale.

The incident occurred during a business lunch with corporate colleagues when Wasserstrom noticed Suzy Kuperschmidt, a fellow diner, in distress across the patio. Alerting Baker, who had his back to the incident, they quickly approached Kuperschmidt, where a good Samaritan was unsuccessfully attempting the Heimlich maneuver. Baker, leveraging his experience as a former United States Army combat medic during Operation Iraqi Freedom, took over and performed a successful Heimlich maneuver, dislodging the food blocking Kuperschmidt’s airway.

Wasserstrom’s immediate response to assist by removing the obstruction from Kuperschmidt’s mouth was also instrumental in the rescue. The pair's quick thinking and decisive actions calmed Kuperschmidt, who experienced an anxiety attack following the near-fatal incident. 

Angela Olea, RN, Founder and Brand President of Assisted Living Locators, expressed her admiration and gratitude: “The bravery and quick response shown by Dustin and Rachel exemplify the core values of Assisted Living Locators. Their actions not only saved a life but also highlighted the deep commitment our team has to the welfare and safety of our community. We are incredibly proud to have such exemplary individuals representing our brand.”

This act of bravery and teamwork by Baker and Wasserstrom not only saved Kuperschmidt’s life but also highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness and the inherent caring nature of the Assisted Living Locators team.

For more information about Assisted Living Locators and their services, visit assistedlivinglocators.com.