Boy, 8, saves choking friend with Heimlich maneuver: See the video

An incredible act of heroism unfolded at Porter Elementary School in Mesa, Arizona, when 8-year-old Thomas Conley saved his choking friend, Isaiah Rodriguez, in the school cafeteria. Thomas noticed that Isaiah was in distress as he was choking on a grape and immediately sprang into action.

With quick thinking and bravery beyond his years, Thomas performed the Heimlich maneuver on Isaiah, dislodging the grape and allowing his friend to breathe normally again. The heroic moment, which occurred on Nov. 14, did not go unnoticed as Mesa Public Schools commended Thomas on social media for his life-saving actions.

Thomas’ mother, Candice Conley, shared with Fox News Digital how proud she and her husband are of their son. The family often discusses food safety and kitchen safety at home, given their background in the food industry. Candice emphasized the importance of being aware of choking hazards and knowing how to respond in such situations.

Isaiah’s parents were incredibly grateful for Thomas’ quick actions, with his mother, Maria Anderson, expressing her thanks and admiration for Thomas. She highlighted the long-standing friendship between the two boys and the bond they share.

Despite the attention and accolades, Thomas remained humble about his heroism, simply stating, \”My friend needed help, and so I helped him.\” An assembly was held at Porter Elementary to honor Thomas, with first responders from Mesa Fire and Medical Department presenting him with a certificate in front of his peers.

The Mesa Fire and Medical Department took to social media to recognize Thomas for his bravery, praising his quick response and courage in saving Isaiah’s life. The Heimlich maneuver, introduced by Dr. Henry Heimlich in 1975, has a high success rate in choking incidents and is recommended as the first line of treatment by the American Heart Association.

Thomas’ actions serve as a reminder of the importance of being prepared and knowing how to respond in emergency situations. His selfless act has inspired many and highlighted the impact that a single individual can have in a moment of crisis. As the young hero himself stated, \”I’ve probably never had this much attention in my life.\”