Long Island 5th Grader Saves Classmate From Choking

Ten-year-old Keith Johnson is being hailed as a hero after he helped save a classmate who was choking. Newsday reports that Keith noticed the student choking during lunch--"His face was turning red"--so he "went behind the victim, put his fists under the student's rib cage and pushed up." Which helped the boy "dislodge" a sandwich. The school, which gave Keith a certificate of appreciation, says there was a lunch aide, but the fifth-grader got to the choking boy first. Keith's parents believe their son learned the Heimlich maneuver by seeing the safety signs in restaurants--his mom said, "He's always reading. He likes to know what's going on around him."

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By Jen Chung in News on November 4, 2008 7:56 AM

Comments [rss]

Antonio

Keith for Secretary of Defense!

Steven

Great story to read! Love to see much more stories like this in the news for Gothamist to report about!

Wza

Props to Keith!

Son of Spam

Bravo!

I hope this kid ends up on Letterman.

schizofriendly

Hurray -- good news from Long Island -- for a change!

Hurray Keith!

Hurray Connetquot school district! My alma mater!

WesleySnipesAlot

ziggyziggy- you are correct about it being the abdominal area, although the maneuver requires you to place your fists below the ribcage as to get some leverage when performing the manueuver.

smitty

Keith has had a busy last few days. He's running for class president, and yesterday he gave his speech. Among his campaign promises are recycling bins in the school's classrooms, monthly movie nights and establishing a store to sell school supplies.

When his mother said he should put his heroic act of saving his schoolmate in his speech, he declined.

"Mom, that would be bragging," he said.

Clarice City

Way to go, Keith!

Guest

That's awesome that he's always reading and wanting to know what's going on around him. Most kids his age, and older, couldn't care less about their immediate surroundings or reading for that matter.