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Garrett Brown: School honors 8-year-old 'hero' who saved classmate from choking to death on chicken nugget

'My dad taught me. I was choking and he saved me and taught me to save someone else,' said Garrett Brown about how he learnt the Heimlich maneuver

BY ANITA GOSWAMI

PUBLISHED OCT 8, 2022

Cashton York and Garrett Brown in the cafeteria at their school in Norman, Oklahoma (Youtube/KOCO 5 News)

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA: A school in Oklahoma is honouring a brave youngster who saved a classmate who started choking while scarfing down the lunchtime meal at school.

It was 'Chicken Nugget Day' at Lakeview Elementary School on Sept 15 which "the students absolutely love", music teacher Jordan Nguyen told 'Good Morning America'. But things took a nasty turn at lunchtime when third-grader Cashton York started choking on his food and said he couldn't breathe. "A teacher's and parent's worst nightmare," said Nguyen. Garrett Brown, a fellow classmate, acted swiftly and performed the Heimlich maneuver on him at that point.

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The Heimlich maneuver is the first-aid action for choking. This technique, which involves abdominal thrusts, back blows or both, is used only when a person is choking due to something blocking the airway. Garrett had some prior training and he sprung into action with the life-saving measure, dislodging the food from Cashton York's throat. It is a moment neither Cashton, nor his parents will ever forget.

Garrett told ABC News Oklahoma City affiliate KOCO that he was taught the life-saving technique by his father. "My dad taught me. I was choking and he saved me and taught me to save someone else," he said.

According to the video released by KOCO, Garrett received a "hero award" at a special assembly last week. Cashton thanked Garrett in front of the audience and gave him a hug. The Norman Police Department praised Garrett with a special post on Facebook presenting him the "hero award" with the caption: "Way to go, Garrett!"

Among those praising Garrett's efforts, are Cashton York's parents. His mother, Tiffany Smith, told KOCO that she was thankful Garrett was able to spring into action when her son started choking. "That was extremely scary to know that in a matter of seconds, my child could have choked to death on food at school when you're not around," Smith said. "There's not enough words to be grateful for saving him."

Garrett Brown holds his "hero award" certificate as Cashton York poses alongside him, at their school in Norman, Oklahoma/KOCO TV.

Following the incident, Nguyen said the staff at Lakeview are planning to hold first aid courses for students at the school. "We're starting to do extra classes, life skills sort of things, and one of the classes that we plan to offer is a basic, kid-friendly first aid class," Nguyen said. "That way, if they are out somewhere or if they're home alone, or if they're home with their siblings and something does happen, they'll know what to do."