In the eighth-grade health classes at Evergreen Middle School (EMS) in King County near Redmond, one of the things students learn about is basic first aid.

From treating minor injuries such as nose bleeds and chipped teeth, to performing CPR and using automated external defibrillators (AEDs), students learn how to take basic care of themselves and others. Another skill included in this unit is the Heimlich maneuver.

With the latter, Paul Blair, who teaches the class at EMS, said he would rather the students know how to perform the skill and not need it than need it and not know how to perform it.

And for one of Blair’s students, that skill came into play over winter break.

During the time off, eighth-grader Moiz Chawdhary was babysitting his 8-year-old sister and a group of her friends at their home. The girls were watching TV, eating grapes and a grape-eating contest ensued. After a few moments, Chawdhary noticed one of the girls holding her hands to her throat and he realized she was choking.

Initially, the 14-year-old didn’t know what to do.

“I was kind of scared at first,” he said.

But then Chawdhary calmed himself down and as he was figuring out what to do, he told the other girls to stand back and clear the immediate area. Chawdhary then remembered what he had learned in Blair’s class and “went for it,” performing the Heimlich maneuver on the young girl.

He stepped behind the girl, got on his knee (because the girl was small) and put one of his knees between her legs to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

“After a couple of tries, the grape popped out,” a Lake Washington School District  release states. “The young girl was scared and started crying, but physically she was fine. She soon went back to playing with her friends.”

Blair taught his first aid unit at the end of November, just before Thanksgiving — which is when the unit typically falls in the schedule for his fall semester classes. He said it is a hands-on unit and the students learn to address and treat “things most people might encounter.” Blair described the Heimlich maneuver as an easy skill and a life-saving skill.

Blair said Chawdhary told him what had happened at his house when they returned from break.

“I was real proud of him,” Blair said about Chawdhary stepping in to help the girl. “He’s definitely a hero.”

He also told his student to write about what had happened.

Little did Chawdhary know that his story would be retold at an assembly at EMS on March 17. The assembly was held to recognize students for various achievements and Blair said it was a perfect opportunity to honor Chawdhary, as well.

Members of King County’s Emergency Medical Services also came out to the assembly to recognize the young man.

“I was very surprised,” Chawdhary said.

He said even when he saw members of his family in attendance at the assembly — an unusual occurrence — Chawdhary admitted to wondering what they were doing there.

In addition to the recognition, Chawdhary also received a certificate.

The advice he has for young people who may find themselves in the middle of a medical emergency is to just to do the best they can.