As the old cliche says, blood is thicker than water. That bond isn’t restricted to your nuclear family, though; even cousins can share a close connection. In Tennessee, that relationship recently proved to be more invaluable than anyone might have imagined.
During what was supposed to be a fun family outing, nine-year-old Timothy Prather noticed his younger cousin was behaving strangely. Once he realized something was wrong, he sprung into action, hoping his desperate move could prevent a family tragedy.
When you’re growing up, there’s nothing like spending a day with family and going on adventures. Unfortunately for nine-year-old Timothy Prather, a simple outing with his cousin almost turned into a nightmare.
WREG
This time, Prater, along with his grandparents and little cousin, Conner, were heading to the local rodeo. A day of bucking broncos, charging bulls, and real-life cowboys was guaranteed to be a blast.
Tennessee Alumnus
And it was! But, during the rodeo, a problem arose: it was time for a snack. Rather than venturing out to the concession stand, the boys decided to indulge in some candy. This proved to be a disastrous move.
F. Carter Smith
Concession workers had some Lifesavers on hand, and Conner couldn’t wait to chow down. Timothy went back to watching the show, but, before long, he noticed something strange was happening nearby.
While Timothy was enjoying the rodeo action, Conner suddenly seemed distracted. In a matter of moments, his entire attitude changed; it was clear that he was no longer enjoying himself.
Fox 10
“He was just crying and stomping his feet and holding his throat,” Timothy explained to WREG. While he wasn’t exactly sure what was happening to his cousin, he knew there was a problem.
First Aid For Life
Seconds later, the boys’ grandparents also noticed what was happening; they realized something was terribly wrong. In a matter of moments, everyone’s attention turned from the bull riding to Conner.
Monster Energy
“Our mam-maw had him upside down and our pap-paw was patting his back,” Timothy remembered. Suddenly, his mind started racing, too. He knew exactly what was happening to his little cousin.
Conner was choking on the Lifesaver! While the boys’ grandparents desperately tried to dislodge the candy from his throat, their efforts didn’t yield any results; time seemed to be running out.
WTVR
Timothy, however, remained calm; against all odds, he was prepared for this exact moment. The nine-year-old approached his little cousin and began methodically working to save his life.
With Conner on the ground, Timothy dropped to his knees next to him. Seemingly without thinking, he moved his hands into position and started applying pressure to his cousin’s abdomen.
VeryWell Health
“I took him, and I started pushing his stomach,” Timothy later explained to WREG. Whether he knew it’s official name or not, the boy performed the Heimlich Maneuver on his choking cousin.
Newsweek
After what seemed like an eternity, the Lifesaver came free. Conner could breathe again! Everyone realized that Timothy had saved his cousin’s life, but one larger, more mysterious question remained unanswered…
Stephanie Amador / The Jackson Sun
Timothy might have been a bright boy, but most 9-year-olds don’t know how to use the Heimlich Maneuver to save someone from choking. Where had he picked up that invaluable piece of knowledge?
Nicky Attar
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Timothy learned about the lifesaving technique at school, albeit not in a conventional lesson. While no one taught him how to handle choking, one teacher still played a crucial role in his essential education.
Rivertowns.net