Ryan Flint and Cyrus Amour have been friends for years, playing together on the Little League, football and basketball teams. Their friendship was put to the test in late November when Amour starting choking on a lolly pop in their ninth grade class at the Orcas Christian School.

“He looked like he was trying to swallow it, but his face was bright red,” Flint said. “Then he put his hands around his neck, but everyone was just staring at him. I was confused, I couldn’t tell if he was really choking.”

Flint didn’t want to take any chances, so he jumped up and performed the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts from behind). He first did it gently, in case Amour was kidding. When he clearly wasn’t, Flint began to squeezed him firmly. The candy then popped out of Cyrus’ throat, at which point he continued to eat it.

“Why would you waste it?” he said.

Flint knew how to save his friend’s life after paying close attention in a CPR class last year taught by teacher Bob and Maria Nutt, who are also EMTs at Orcas Fire and Rescue. Flint is considering entering the medical field when he grows up.

“I’m proud of my son for remembering how to do that maneuver,” said Ryan’s dad, Norm. “A lot of people stand by and watch and he jumped right in and helped. He has good character.”

When asked if he filled indebted to his friend, Amour laughed, “not at all!”