A 13-year-old who'd been taught CPR at school saved a choking boy in her apartment complex.
Janeth Santos is just 13 years old, but she already knows how to save lives, courtesy of medical classes she took at her middle school.
The eighth-grader was honored for bravery and courage Monday night for saving a 4-year-old boy during her summer vacation.
Read: Father of Three Stuffs Whole Cheeseburger Into His Mouth, Chokes to Death Trying to Eat It
“She’s an amazing kid,” her principal, Marlene Bicandoba, told InsideEdition.com Wednesday.
Janeth was at home with her mother one day this summer when a neighbor began hysterically screaming. Her son was choking on a piece of candy.
“Do you know what to do? Do you know how to help,” the mother shouted. Yes, I do, Janeth replied, and calmly took the boy in her arms, Bicandoba recounted.
She asked if the mother had done chest compressions. She had, but they had no effect. Then Janeth did a finger sweep of the child’s mouth, checking for anything blocking his air way.
And there was the offending item – a hard Jolly Rancher candy.
“For a 13-year-old to do that was just phenomenal,” her principal said.
When Janeth returned to school, she told her first aid and CPR instructor about her adventure in life saving. School officials checked with Janeth’s family, and then decided to give her a citation.
Janeth Santos with her certificate of courage, seen here with her CPR instructor, Jerrid Patton. (Courtesy Marlene Bicondoba)
Read: Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer Denies Choking Woman in Hotel
Janeth downplayed her actions. “I just did what my teacher told me and I stayed calm,” she said.
Bicandoba says teaching students how to perform first aid and CPR is an asset to a community in need.
“This is highly impoverished area. The median income is $14,000. Having these kids out there, CPR-certified and first-aid-certified is a big help.”
The medical training classes are designed to give kids a taste of various professions including doctor, nurse, paramedic and medical equipment operator.
“We have these kids out there who can save lives,” Bicandoba said. “These kids are really proud.”
Watch: Off-Duty Police Officers Save 9-Foot Turtle Being Choked by Fishing Rope
