Arizona Third Grader Saves His Friend's Life

For some reason, we tend to treat children as almost not people. They're seen as these fragile, dumb animals that need constant supervision and are unable to think for themselves.

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One Arizona child has shown that this shouldn't be the case, and that children are just as capable, if not more, than their adult counterparts.

Saving a Life

Thomas Conley is just like any other third grader. He's in the third grade at Mesa's Porter Elementary School, and gets by day by day. November 14th, however, was unlike any day of his life. While sitting with his friend Isaiah at lunch, Thomas heard him crying.

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Thomas says he was initially confused, but soon realized Isaiah was choking. Thomas sprung into action, and performed the Heimlich on his friend, dislodging the grape in Isaiah's throat and saving his life.

Thomas says he did what he did because he "didn't want Isaiah to die".

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How to Perform the Heimlich

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As we've just demonstrated, the Heimlich maneuver is one of the most helpful forms of CPR, and it can save lives. The maneuver itself is incredibly easy to master, so just in case you're unaware on how to perform it, here's your guide:

Step One: Stand behind the choking victim

Step Two: Wrap your arms around the torso, as if you're hugging from the back

Step Three: Make one hand a fist, and grasp it with the other

Step Four: Place your hands between the belly button and ribcage

Step Five: Pull up and in on the Diaphragm

Step Six: repeat five times

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Once you've done this, air will be forced out of the lungs, dislodging whatever foreign object is stuck in the victim's throat. Keep this knowledge with you, because like Thomas, you never know when you'll need it.

[KYMA][Mass General Brigham]