Milton Elementary School physical education teacher, Jose Santos Tobias Jr. actions and quick thinking saved the life of a student by performing the Heimlich Maneuver. Third grade student Caiden Castro was choking on his food when Tobias promptly began performing the Heimlich Maneuver.
Castro was in the cafeteria eating lunch when the incident occurred. “I was eating my chicken nuggets when I started choking,” said Castro “I ran to the hallway and fell to the ground.”
Coach Tobias was in the second-grade hallway when he heard over the radio that they needed the nurse because somebody was choking in the cafeteria.
“That's when I made my way to the area and saw Caiden on the ground. He was in the hallway lying on the floor gasping for air,” said Tobias. “He was having trouble breathing and was grabbing his mouth. That's when I took it upon myself to do the Heimlich Maneuver and was able to dislodge the food that was obstructing his airway”
Tobias, who is also football coach at JW Nixon High School, credits the district’s yearly CPR/First Aid/AED training requirements for his quick actions and thinking.
“It's really important that we get CPR and AED training,” said Tobias. “This is the first time I performed the Heimlich Maneuver, but I have practiced it many times as part of our training. Our trainer at Nixon High School Adriana Rodriguez does a really good job making sure that we stay on top of our yearly certifications.”
“We are honored and blessed with incredible staff that are committed to their students and work diligently to ensure their safety and well-being by putting their skills into action,” said LISD Athletic Director Sylvia Barrera. “Thank you, Coach Tobias for your quick action and all our athletic trainers that provide the important CPR/First Aid/AED training that enables our staff to keep our students.”
“Coach Tobias was at the right place at the right time. He helped save somebody's life and is a walking talking Angel. We really appreciate you coach,” said Milton Elementary School Principal Cecilia Mcgee. “It's very important that we do get the training that the district provides. I've seen the Heimlich Maneuver used over the 20 years that I've been working, twice. This is the second time where somebody is saved with a Hendrick Maneuver by a staff member. So, it is important that we attend the trainings.”
Coach Tobias has a long-lasting relationship with Caiden’s family as he has coached several of Kaden’s siblings, making this personal for him.
“I've known Caiden since he's one or two years old. He has been running up and down the bleachers and around at Shirley field. So, yes this hit a little closer to home,” said Tobias. “I want to think that I would have responded the same way with any other students not just Kaden. But yes, it was personal once I noticed it was him. I want to say that I would have responded the same way if it was any other student. It just so happened that it was Kaden, my future hog.”
“I want to thanks him for being a great coach,” said Castro. Thank you for saving my life, Coach Tobias.”
Caiden’s family is also grateful for Coach Tobias’s actions.
“Coach Tobias did a really great job. He saved my son life,” said Kaden’s mother, Crystal Prado. “I’m so grateful the district provides these types of training for the staff and students.”
“I know that the word love gets thrown around a lot but, I do want the parents to know that when we say that we love our kids we truly love our kids,” said Tobias. “There's really no doubt in my mind that if I'm not the closest one that anybody from our staff would have done the exact same thing.”