When seven-year-old Sameer Santana saw his classmate struggling to breathe during snack time, he didn’t hesitate or wait for adults to intervene. The Rhode Island first grader immediately sprang into action, drawing on a life-saving technique he had learned just one year earlier in kindergarten.
The incident unfolded on April 9 at Stephen Olney Elementary School in North Providence, where students were enjoying their snack break. Jabril Brewster, one of Sameer’s classmates, began choking on an apple slice, creating a potentially life-threatening emergency situation.
Quick thinking in a critical moment
While the teacher instructed students to remain seated and prepared to call for assistance, Sameer disregarded the directive and rushed to help his friend. Drawing on knowledge from a health class lesson he remembered from kindergarten, the young student performed the Heimlich maneuver on Jabril.
“I saw him choking,” Sameer said. “Then, I came and ran and did the Heimlich on him.”
His intervention worked immediately. “I paid attention, so I remembered,” he explained. “I knew what to do, so I did the Heimlich like how they taught me, and the apple came out right away.”
A mother’s surprise and pride
Ciara Santana, Sameer’s mother, was completely unaware her son possessed this knowledge. When the school contacted her about the incident, she was overcome with emotion.
“I’m so incredibly proud of his action and bravery, knowing that he actively helped instead of just being a bystander,” she said.
Community recognition for a young hero
The significance of Sameer’s actions wasn’t lost on school administrators or the broader community. Principal Stephen Pacitto reflected on the potentially tragic outcome that was averted. “Had that not happened, you know, what the outcome could have been and how I would have felt as a parent in that situation would have been, obviously, devastating,” he said.
Nearly three weeks after the incident, on April 28, the school hosted a special ceremony to honor Sameer’s heroism. First responders, North Providence Mayor Charlie Lombardi, and the young hero’s classmates gathered to present him with awards.
“This is so important that everyone should know what this gentleman did, what he represents, and hopefully, it’ll inspire other students,” Lombardi said.
“We are just super proud of Sameer and the initiative he took. We’re thankful for him,” Pacitto said.
Despite his young age, Sameer already has aspirations for his future career. He says he wants to become a police officer when he grows up, though he’s already demonstrated that helping others comes naturally to him.
The power of early education
The incident underscores the critical importance of teaching children life-saving skills at an early age. Sameer’s ability to recall and correctly apply the Heimlich maneuver—learned just one year earlier in kindergarten—proved that young students can retain and utilize essential safety training when it matters most.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6
WATCH: 7-Year-Old Jumps Into Action and Saves Friend’s Life
