ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A sixth grader in Orange County is forever grateful for the school employee who may have saved his life.
Calvin Obura was choking in the lunchroom at Timber Springs Middle School when Program Assistant Janira Arroyo jumped into action last month.
“I padded the person right next to me and they started yelling out for help because I was choking,” Obura said. “That’s when Ms. Arroyo came to the rescue and started performing medical techniques on me.”
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“I was just at lunch duty, doing what I usually do, monitor the kids,” Arroyo said. “Next thing I know one of my coworkers is yelling out my name.”
Arroyo said she looked over and saw Obura was choking on a mozzarella stick.
“I ran over to him and got down, and I said, ‘Can you say something? Can you say something?’ cause I can hear him breathing,” Arroyo said. “So, at that point, I knew he was OK, something must have been lodged in his throat. "
“Eventually, in like 30 seconds or so she got it out,” Obura said. “I’m really thankful.”
Arroyo said he was shaken up, but she stayed calm and did her best to calm him down.
“I just told him ‘It’s alright,’” Arroyo said. “I’ve got him. I looked at everyone and I was like, ‘Oh, hey we’re OK. We’re fine.’”
Arroyo says she is CPR certified, but she had just gone through recertification training two weeks prior. She also saved a little girl who was choking before at summer camp.
“She was choking on a little, like round mint or something,” Arroyo said. “She was gasping for air. For her, I did have to do the Heimlich maneuver on her.”
Arroyo was recognized by the Orange County School Board meeting this month for her heroic actions after the most recent rescue. Obura and his family were also there.
“I only did what I would want anyone else to do for my boys,” Arroyo said. “You were thinking of your own brothers?” asked News 6 Reporter Catherine Silver. “Our kids here are our future. So, why not do it for our future,” Arroyo said.
Thankfully Obura is feeling much better.
“I’m very thankful that she saved my life. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know,” Obura said.
Arroyo hopes this life-saving moment is also a teachable moment.
“If you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t be afraid to ask for help, because it’s literally one of those things they tell you in CPR. You do something, and you tell someone. You call for help, call 911,” Arroyo said. “It’s ok to ask for help. No matter what it is in life.”
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