Texas Child Saves Friend From Choking: Why Everyone Should Know This Life Saving Skill

When I was seven, I choked on a piece of fajita meat. It was a terrifying experience that put me off eating most types of meat for years. Thankfully, my dad knew the Heimlich maneuver and was able to save my life. Decades later, I was able to save a kid who had choked on a quarter (don't ask me, I don't know either) using the same technique that had been used on me.

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Texas Child Acts Quickly, Saves His Friend

According to NewsWest, Bryson Campbell, a 7-year-old elementary student at Oak Forest Elementary in Houston, acted quickly and with knowledge that his mother had imparted to him, allowing him to save a life. His friend had tapped him on the shoulder to indicate he was choking, and Bryson gave him some hard pats on the back to dislodge the food.

His mother, Alisha, had gotten CPR training at her job and decided to pass that knowledge along to the rest of her family. That small act paid off, thanks to her quick-thinking, heroic, and compassionate son.

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Learn the Heimlich Maneuver

A good, hard back pat will work on some types of choking incidents, but you should also know the Heimlich Maneuver. This is the procedure for adults, according to the Cleveland Clinic:

• Stand behind the person and put your arms around their belly (abdomen).
• Make a fist with one hand and clasp your other hand tightly around it.
• Place the thumb side of your fist just below their ribcage and about two inches above their belly button (navel).
• Sharply and quickly thrust your hands inward and upward five times.
• Repeat this process until you free (dislodge) the object stuck in their windpipe, or the person becomes unconscious. If the person becomes unconscious, start CPR.

If a child is younger than 5 or 45 pounds, you should kneel to their level to perform the procedure. For infants under 12 months, pregnant women, or obese folks, you can get different instructions here. Know these procedures can save a life- I'm around because of them.