A Wisconsin Fourth Grader Saves Choking Student, Hailed as Hero

Essence Collier Fratt Elementary School Samantha Bradshaw Heimlich maneuver Steven Branson "Essie Day" Girls Thrive choking

By Camille Hutchison , Parent Herald Nov 16, 08:56 am

Essence Collier was hailed as a new hero after saving another student who began choking at school last week. She was in a Tuesday afternoon class at Fratt Elementary School in Racine, Wisconsin, when she immediately noticed that her classmate needed help, Good Morning America (GMA) reported.

The 9-year-old was eating her food at the time, and her classmate brought a cold lunch, but she began choking when she was about to swallow her food. The young girl immediately went to help her. She admitted she felt nervous about saving her classmate but didn't hesitate to help. The fourth grader told the outlet that she was scared, but she took deep breaths.

Samantha Bradshaw, an educator, was in the classroom with the students but did not notice what was happening until she saw Essie dart across the classroom. The teacher recalled shouting as she didn't know what was going on, but then she saw her kind student approach the other student, wrap her arms behind and does that quick thrust.

The student performed the Heimlich Maneuver

Steven Branson, the Fratt Elementary Principal, told the outlet that they could not recognize the student who got choked but said she was able to recover shortly after the incident. The school nurse also assessed the student before she returned to class and completed the rest of the school day.

It was the first time Collier performed the Heimlich Maneuver. She learned the technique approximately two years ago through a YouTube video and remembered what to do.

The principal and other school staff were incredibly proud of Collier's quick action as she didn't hesitate to help. She was praised for remembering the technique and saving her classmate's life.

On the other hand, the school community has come together to acknowledge Collier's quick action. Girls Thrive, an afterschool program in which little girls participate, held an "Essie Day" to celebrate and show how girls, specifically young girls, can make a difference.

What to do if someone is choking?

If you notice someone is choking, quickly strike five separate times between the individual's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If back blows don't successfully remove the stuck object, give five abdominal thrusts, commonly known as the Heimlich maneuver. Alternate between five thrusts and blows until the blockage is fully dislodged.

Ask them to cough, so you can determine if it's only mild choking. If the airway is partly blocked, the person can speak, cough, cry, and breathe.

You can also support their chest with one hand and gradually lean the person forward so the object that blocks the airways will come out of their mouth instead of moving further down, per NHS Inform.

Moreover, young ones under age five are at a higher risk for choking injury and death. Household items, toys, and even foods can all pose a choking hazard. Food is the most common and reported cause of nonfatal choking in little kids.