r/nextfuckinglevel 1d ago

8-Year-Old Arizona Student Heroically Saves Choking Classmate with Heimlich Maneuver

Thomas Conley, an 8-year-old third grader at Porter Elementary School in Mesa, Arizona, is being hailed as a hero after saving his friend Isaiah from choking on a grape during lunch. Thomas noticed Isaiah in distress and immediately performed the Heimlich maneuver, successfully dislodging the grape. His quick thinking and bravery were recognized by the Mesa Fire Department, who honored him with a certificate during a school assembly.

1.1k Upvotes

45 comments sorted by

155

u/Kevaldes 1d ago

Lil bro said "Not today, yoink"

67

u/Kjpr13 1d ago

One pump man. Got the job done.

103

u/Intelligent-Top5012 1d ago

Doesn't really look like a true Heimlich Maneuver; nevertheless, that kid is awesome.

43

u/jeho22 1d ago

It was the no-choke shake. Close relative of the heimlich maneuver

5

u/ZipLineCrossed 19h ago

Is it a distant cousin to the Harlem shake?

2

u/GoDLikUS 1d ago

What is it? Any guide how to do it?

20

u/Croquetadecarne 1d ago

For real: he touches her shoulder with concern and all at just 8 yo. I was an asshole at that age.

3

u/milsean22 1d ago

Lol this made me laugh thankyou

2

u/avalonstaken 1d ago

I’m dead this is excellent 🤣🤣🤣

22

u/Numerous_Dream8821 1d ago

Saw this on some weird ass news station that had dramatic stings and powerpoint transitions every 5 seconds with clickbaity headlines. They spent more time on this talking about how the kid looked like young sheldon than they did covering the rescue.

7

u/Time_Traveling_Idiot 1d ago

Honestly, I don't understand why news stations do that.

Just explain the context, show the video, a short interview with the kid, what he got as a reward, and perhaps a short segment on the Heimlich Maneuver and how to do it yourself. Simple!

4

u/Numerous_Dream8821 1d ago

I think they actually pointed it out DURING THE INTERVIEW and then kept talking about it, just because he had a bow tie and glasses

8

u/RudeCriminal 1d ago

Looks like the teacher was acussing him first and he had to explain what had happened .

11

u/Business_Feeling_669 1d ago

I nearly drowned at school camp when my friend Nathan dove in and dragged me out.

14

u/firenova9 1d ago

Fuck yeah, Nathan!

5

u/Business_Feeling_669 1d ago

I was in the pool by myself sitting on beach ball it flew out from under me I was a couple of seconds from going unconscious and he saved me.

6

u/F_Oxysporum 1d ago

It's kind of hard to see but did the adult put on gloves before coming over?

10

u/iiTzSTeVO 1d ago

I wonder if it was a cafeteria lady.

3

u/OkFortune6494 1d ago edited 1d ago

Looks like she had them on already.

1

u/F_Oxysporum 1d ago

That makes sense. It doesn't look like she's wearing an apron or hairnet like a food service worker would. It almost looks like she's wearing baby Yoda around her neck?

1

u/dvdher 1d ago

I thought it was Pikachu. And it looked like lunch lady was about to give little man some shit when he told the lunch lady that girl was choking and choking girl looked like she had to confirm.

2

u/FingernailToothpicks 1d ago

Is it horrible my first thought was the woman was coming over thinking the boy was messing with the girl?

4

u/ReadinII 1d ago

She went straight to the boy instead of the girl, so that was my thought too. Seems she didn’t get a good look and assumed there was a physical altercation. 

1

u/thedragonturtle 7h ago

It's just something boys have to learn to live with. Always help someone out, but be prepared to be accused of causing harm cos that's the default assumption.

2

u/Only_Standard_9159 1d ago

The current guidance is to start with back blows and then alternate between abdominal thrusts and back blows:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-choking/basics/art-20056637#:~:text=Strike%20five%20separate%20times%20between,until%20the%20blockage%20is%20dislodged.

Back blows can be very effective.

2

u/TheRemedy187 20h ago

That one teacher came over giving him shit.

1

u/chikomana 1d ago

I heard Scorpion's "GET OVER HERE!" in my head! Good job by the kid!

1

u/Headless_Human 1d ago

Are they in a classroom or why are the tables so small and only have a bench on one side?

1

u/Cautious-Comfort-919 1d ago

A lot of schools here use these benches because they transition from a picnic style setup you see to backed-bench seating for musical performances, award ceremonies, and such. Lunch is usually served in the “auditorium” where indoor sports and such ceremonies are held.

It allows using such a large room for all necessary purposes.

1

u/ZealousidealBread948 1d ago

Fate has brought them together

1

u/milsean22 1d ago

A piece of corn went down my wind pipe once. I didn't need saving but damn it was scary.

1

u/okiproko 13h ago

Mastery, self-control, hop come here little and hop a maneuver and the stuck end is spat out.... Class 👍👍😎

1

u/loverboybarney 1d ago

Awesome good thinking on his part

-5

u/Odd_Ad_5716 1d ago

He'll have a job at KFC

-5

u/Dustyznutz 1d ago

Strong work prayers to them both!