A LIFESAVER

Student saves life of his friend in class by performing Heimlich maneuver

Quick thinking by a Coatesville High School helped to save the life of a classmate this week.

Johnny Rivera, 16, a junior at Coatesville Area Senior High School, often brings his inhaler with him to treat asthma. While in class this week, he used his inhaler but forgot to take off the cap to the device. The cap went down his throat.

Before the teacher could react, fellow student Jabari Stocker, 17, who was nearby, jumped to the rescue and performed the Heimlich maneuver on Rivera for about 15 seconds. The class realized Jonathon was choking, and Stocker immediately jumped in to help. After about six to eight thrusts, Stocker was able to dislodge the cap from Rivera’s throat. The teacher began making his way toward Rivera, but Stocker had already

helped him.

For Rivera, it seemed like an eternity, but he coughed up the cap.

“I was wheezing a little bit, and I took out my inhaler,” Rivera said. “I inhaled the cap, and it went down (my throat).”

As Rivera tried to catch his breath, his friend Stocker was nearby and didn’t hesitate to help.

“I dealt with it in the moment,” Stocker said. “I don’t know where I learned (the Heimlich Maneuver) from. I was just trying to get it (the cap) out as fast as I could.”

Rivera declined medical treatment. All parents were informed.

Jarvin Williams, assistant principal, said a photo of Stocker and Rivera will be placed in the upcoming yearbook. “I’m very proud,” he said. Michelle Synder, principal, said it was fortunate Rivera took action so quickly because

the incident happened in one of the school’s largest classrooms, and the teacher was far away.

“This could have been a very different outcome if Jabari hesitated and waited for a teacher,” she said. “This is just an incredible story. Both young men are outstanding here in school.”

Stocker said he hopes to eventually get into the video and photo business, and Rivera said he is looking at attending trade school.

The Rivera family plans to show their sincerest gratitude to Jabari and the Stocker family.

Both students are football players, and Stocker runs track.

Inhalers are devices that allow medications to be breathed into the lungs via the mouth. They don’t require electricity and are small enough to be carried in a pocket.

COURTESY OF COATESVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT Jabari Stocker, left, saved the life of Jonathon Rivera after he choked on a cap. Both are Coatesville High School juniors.