Choking Girl Saved by Lessons From 'SpongeBob'

By Dino Sossi Posted Apr 23rd 2010 12:29PM

We know SpongeBob entertains, but we had no idea he could save lives! A girl from Long Island credits 'SpongeBob' for showing her how to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a choking friend, reports Newsday (via AP).

Allyson Golden and Miriam Starobin found a joke their teacher told on Tuesday so funny that they were both "on the floor" laughing. But the laughter in the Long Beach Middle School music class soon stopped, as Allyson started choking on her gum. She began kicking her legs and turned red. That's when her best friend Miriam, 12, sprung into action. With the aid of lessons learned from the television show 'SpongeBob SquarePants,' Miriam performed the lifesaving Heimlich maneuver and Allyson's gum popped out of her mouth.

"Her hands were around her throat and she's turning purple and I'm going, 'Oh my God,'" Miriam recalled to ABC News. "The first thing I did was channel SpongeBob," she told Good Day NY on Friday. "I saw SpongeBob do the Heimlich."

In one episode of the series, the surly character Squidward swallows a fork and is revived by Patrick. Squidward also once had a clarinet in his throat and was saved by SpongeBob. 'SpongeBob' is an animated TV show on Nickelodeon.

"[The gum] flew across the room like five feet. I was so thankful she saved my life," said Allyson.

"We think it's smart thinking on Miriam's part, and we are happy that SpongeBob could be such a positive help," said a spokesperson from Nickelodeon.

Miriam claims she also likes 'Grey's Anatomy' and other medical shows. She has not received formal training in performing the Heimlich maneuver.

Allyson is in good medical condition.

Tags: spongebob

Comments

(28)

Friday 23 April

By Jan

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Not to take away from what a 12yr old did to save a life, but what the heck was the teacher doing that they could not perform the Heimlich??????

Saturday 24 April

By shanice

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Rofl that's a great point actually. Glad the girls okay tho, and who knew Spongebob could be such a huge help.

By OhLori

I would have rather seen a picture of the brave little girl that saved her friends life than a picture of Sponge Bob. Great job Miriam

By Liz

They probably didn't put a picture of her because they wanted to protect her privacy.

By rkniolek

first of all what was the girl doing chewing gum i thought gum wasn't allowed in school. anyway im glad everything turned out okay. it isn't often you hear good news especially involving a tv show. my kids love spongebob i like it too, it is funny and something i can stand watching

By Purple

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What was the girl doing with a wad of chewing gum in her mouth in the first place? Bless the girl who saved her. She's the real heroine.

Sunday 25 April

By Shayna

She is twelve. Which means she is probably in Jr. High (6th or 7th grade). So why would you think gum isn't allowed in school? For younger children maybe it isn't allowed, but for 12 yr olds, I'm sure it was fine, I mean I began babysitting when I was 12 or 13, I think gum is allowed in Jr. High.

By Joanie

Point being "she was saved" I don't think any school allows gum chewing. Didn't you ever do something you weren't supposed too. Their school policy is no gum chewing.

By ww4udavid

Well speaking as a highschool student, gum is indeed allowed, at least in the Philadelphia School District.

Wednesday 12 May

By Audrey

well in elementry scholl is not alowed to chew gum but middle school and high scholl you are a lowed to

By dogonnit_g

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Sorry that is tattoo, like ink...not like "de plane, de plane"
I hope everyone remembers fantasy island...gotta go...

By kanidana

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Sounds more like a Willy Wonka lesson. Girl turns purple from chewing gum, friend saves girl. Friend says girl shouldn't be chewing gum all the time.

By Herald7

Good for her! You never know where you might learn something. ;)

By ruby2070

Whaddya know, AOL had basically the same article twice, today.

By amy

Hey AOL....on page one you have the same story....are you lacking grat stories? just put another one one that you had 6 months ago......

By Racendirt

Thankfully, cartoons have no age limit. Some people take life too seriously. As far as chewing gum, people have been chewing it for a long time. She could have been choking on about anything. The point is this episode saved the day. As my granddaughter would say..."yeah, Spongebob!"

By Suzie

my kids are 22, 20 and 19 and they still watch Sponge Bob - he's hilarious !

By lelsiemoo

They happened to The Suite Life of Zack and Cody earlier....

By bdaddy

The episode refered did not show the heimlich, it shows SpongBob climbing down Squidwards throat to retrieve a clarinet. Let's get a grip.

By Marissa

well at some schools they allow gum, but personally if this were to happen to some i know that was still in school i wouldnt want anyone to be chewing gum in school.

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