An 11‑year‑old boy choked on a piece of bread at Ustce’s Mariusz Zaruski Elementary School on Tuesday, a rescue team and a school servant performed the Heimlich maneuver to save his life.
Emergency Response Begins
On Tuesday, October 15, school personnel and a medical emergency team were summoned when an 11‑year‑old boy at Mariusz Zaruski Elementary School in Ustce began choking during lunch break. By the time responders arrived, the child’s lips were blue and he was bleeding from the nose and fingers. His mother told a local newspaper that he could not breathe and described the ordeal as “masochistic.”
Heimlich Maneuver Saves Life
The boy’s life was saved when a school custodian promptly performed the Heimlich maneuver, also known as the abdominal thrust. His swift action prevented the situation from escalating, allowing the child to be stabilized before an ambulance transported him to the local emergency department.
Medical Care and Outcome
At Włupsk hospital the boy underwent a bronchoscopy, which revealed no remaining bread fragments. Doctors confirmed that his breathing was now normal. On Friday, October 17, he was discharged to his home, where his mother reported that he was breathing well.
Procedure Explained
The Heimlich maneuver involves standing behind the victim, placing one hand at the center of the abdomen between the navel and the lower ribs, gripping that fist with the other hand, and delivering swift upward thrusts. Medical responders warn that repeated attempts can risk abdominal organ injury. If the victim is conscious, they recommend encouraging a cough in a forward‑leaning position and then patting the back, avoiding bony reflexes while the person remains upright.
