WILDWOOD - In a heartwarming display of bravery, 13-year-old Billy Carberry, an 8th grader at Our Lady of Calvary School in Northeast Philadelphia, rushed to the aid of his Pre-K classmate, Christopher, who was choking during lunchtime on Thursday, October 23.
Billy noticed Christopher was waving his hands in distress and his face was red. Billy knew he was choking and leapt into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver on Christopher, and a piece of fruit leather dislodged enabling the boy to breathe again.
When asked about the experience, Billy admitted he felt scared but was determined not to show it.
“I didn’t want Christopher to be scared,” he said. His quick thinking and composure under pressure undoubtedly made a significant difference during a frightening moment.
Billy's knowledge of the life-saving technique comes from his training as a Junior Lifeguard with the Wildwood Beach Patrol, a program he has participated in for several summers as a summer resident of Wildwood, NJ.
“I learned a lot about safety and how to help others,” he explained.
The incident has drawn praise from teachers and parents alike, who commend Billy's courage and readiness to act. Wildwood Beach Patrol Captain Ed Schneider commended Billy's heroic efforts with an award recognizing his bravery and quick-thinking assistance to the boy.
"A great deal of credit goes to Junior Lifeguard Instructor Jack Rauchut and his team for teaching junior lifeguards how to recognize situations," said Schneider. "Billy is a kid who paid attention and prevented a critical incident."
