Mass. Boy Saves Friend With Skills Taught By Firefighters

"At first I thought I could dislodge it, but then I grabbed Joe's shirt, and I went down," Ryan Fenton said of a harrowing experience when a fistful of candy led to a blocked airway.

"It kind of felt like I was breathing through a straw, then I was wheezing, and then I couldn't breathe at all," he added.

Joseph Wojnar knew Ryan was in trouble and responded.

"I hit him with the heel of my hand on his back," he said. "I just reacted."

It all happened Jan. 27. The 13-year-old Dudley Middle School students, who have been friends for many years, were attending a church retreat at St. Louis Church in Webster.

Ryan's father, Scott T. Fenton, recounted the event during a recent meeting of the Dudley Board of Selectmen.

"My son, Ryan, probably took too much of a handful of M&Ms. The fact that Ryan wasn't breathing at the time and Joe knew what to do, he knew where to strike him on the back, he probably saved my son's life," Mr. Fenton said.

Joseph said he learned the life-saving technique from firefighter and paramedic Chet Moroz at the Fire Department's first aid station during Survival Day at school.

At the selectmen's meeting, Fire Chief Dean C. Kochanowski presented a citation to Joseph.

"His bravery and kindness during the crisis has earned him the undying gratitude of the fire department and citizens of Dudley," the chief said.

Citing pride in the proactive role of Dudley's public safety departments, Board Chairman Jonathan Ruda congratulated Joseph and thanked Mr. Moroz.

"They made a difference," he said.

At school earlier this month, Ryan and Joseph reflected on the event that instigated their newfound celebrity.

"I feel thankful to Joe for hitting me on the back and stopping me from choking," Ryan said. For Ryan, the learning lesson from this experience is: "Don't eat 20 M&Ms at a time, or if you do, have a buddy with you."

Joseph's take-away and advice for peers is to "be prepared for whatever may happen."