GREENSBORO, N.C. — Kids at General Greene Elementary School held a celebration for their classmate, Henry Glasgo. 

What You Need To Know

  • Henry Glasgo's parents taught him the Heimlich maneuver

  • Glasgo is 10 years old, and so is his best friend, who he did the lifesaving technique on

  • The pair have been best friends since they were 2 years old

A few weeks back, Glasgo was in the cafeteria during lunchtime when he noticed his best friend, Salem Carey, choking. 

“He eats one mozzarella stick, and he starts coughing on it, and I think he’s just coughing,” Glasgo said. “I thought he already swallowed, but then he starts coughing a lot more, and so like I’m worried. So I just came behind him and start doing the Heimlich on it.”

Carey said it happened because the cheese separated from the breading of the mozzarella stick. 

“It got all tangled up in my throat, and I started coughing, and I was slowly breathing less and less, and I needed help, but I couldn't ask for it because I couldn't talk at the time,” Carey said. “Henry came over, well, you know, he was actually sitting right here, and started performing the Heimlich on me.”

When Carey’s older brother, Asher, found out what happened he couldn’t believe it. 

“I did not think that was possible for a 10-year-old to do that to another 10-year-old when I don’t even know how to do it,” Asher Carey said. “When I first heard about it, I thought it was a joke until like my Mom was talking to his teacher and stuff so it was a scary moment.”

Salem Carey said while he was choking, he felt helpless because he didn’t cough up the mozzarella stick right away.  

Carey and Glasgo are in the same fourth-grade class and have been friends since they were 2 years old. 

Glasgo said if you ever find yourself having to perform the Heimlich, make sure you know what you’re doing. 

“If you don't feel comfortable doing the Heimlich, definitely call for help, and if you do feel comfortable, just make sure they're OK with the Heimlich and don't like go right here, go on their stomach and don't press too hard."