As 8-year-old Luc Dowen was choking on a bagel at his Colorado elementary school, he kept repeating three words in his head: "Get an adult, get an adult!"
Moments later, he ran over to school custodian Jeff Fleiger and notified him that he couldn't breathe.
Fleiger quickly grabbed Dowen and performed the Heimlich maneuver, just like the quick-thinking Texas police officer who saved a breathless infant. It was the first time Fleiger had to perform the technique on anyone since learning it 10 years prior. After several tries, Dowen was finally able to breathe again.
"If he wasn't there, I probably would've died," Dowen told CBS Denver.
Yet, Fleiger had no idea the role he played in saving a life until the next day when Luc gave him a big hug. The grateful young boy also had a few sweet words to tell the custodian on camera at 1:20.
"I never expected it to happen," Fleiger said. "I don't think anybody does."
This frightening moment proves how important it is for people, especially those working at schools, to know how to perform this life-saving technique. (It wouldn't hurt to learn how to save yourself from choking in the case you are home alone as we've previously shown you.)
Please SHARE to encourage people to learn how to perform the Heimlich maneuver!
