The end of the school year is always a time for joy and excitement, and having fun with friends is what Rocky Point High School freshman Avery Ward was doing during lunch period one day last week when she started choking on a French fry. As another student went to get help from a cafeteria aide, custodian Dave Cook bolted across the school cafeteria to assist her. Mr. Cook quickly assessed the situation and performed the Heimlich Maneuver as Avery started to breathe again.
“We are so grateful for Mr. Cook’s quick response and decisive actions,” Principal Jonathan Hart said. “We are extremely proud to have him as part of our TEAM Rocky Point High School.”
Mr. Cook in turn was grateful for the placement of the Heimlich Maneuver posters in the cafeteria that he walked past daily in his work in the district for more than 20 years. Humbled by this experience, it brought back a memory to Mr. Cook that he had also used the life-saving skill on his 7-year-old son more than 17 years ago.