Most of us were taught how to do the Heimlich maneuver or had CPR training at some point in our lives.  I was taught CPR in health class in high school eons ago, then got briefly retaught in the mid 90's when I was working in Toledo radio.  I can't remember much of either session.

Good thing 11-year-old Terrius Winters knew how to do it.  Terrius saved a classmates life, perhaps, when the classmate was choking on a piece of candy in a Mark Bills Middle School bathroom between classes.  Terrius was shown how to do the Heimlich by his mother and it paid off.  Terrius gets a 95-5, Hi Five for sure.  He was honored by his school this week and the Journal Star posted the story on page 1 today.

The quick and easy way to do it is like this:

If choking is occurring, the Red Cross recommends a "five-and-five" approach to delivering first aid:

• Give 5 back blows. First, deliver five back blows between the person's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
• Give 5 abdominal thrusts. Perform five abdominal thrusts (also known as the Heimlich maneuver).
• Alternate between 5 blows and 5 thrusts until the blockage is dislodged.

So, if you were squeemish about giving mouth to mouth resuscitation, looks like that's not mandatory anymore.  There's a bit more to it with regards to pregnant women and obese people.  Click on this website for more details.  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-choking/FA00025  You never know when these life saving skills could come in handy!

Doc Watson