Eight-year-old Damian Pascale was eating a salt-and-vinegar chip at lunch on Tuesday when he suddenly started choking.
“I was looking forward to eating my chips, and the chip went sideways, and it got stuck in my throat,” said Pascale, a student at Norwood Intermediate School.
Three of his friends saw that something was wrong.
Jaxson Chin and two classmates, also friends of Damian, acted quickly, writes Cheyenne Corin for 6abc.
“I went to go pat his back, then I told the other kids to go get the teacher,” Jaxson said.
Another third-grader, Hunter Shields, ran to a teacher in a panic and said that Damian needed help.
Luckily, health and physical education teacher Tara Vaughn was on lunch duty nearby and responded with the Heimlich maneuver that dislodged the chip.
Vaughn said she’s taught the Heimlich maneuver to her eighth-grade students, but never had to use it in her 24-year career.
“I feel good, and I feel thankful for them and my teacher,” Damian said.
He thanked Vaughn with flowers. School leaders also recognized the students’ quick action, presenting them with “superhero awards.”
Damian is still eating chips. His family told him to take smaller bites.
Read more about the life-saving event in Norwood at 6abc.
