Cafeteria Manager Saved Choking Student
A St. Petersburg cafeteria manager performed the Heimlich maneuver to save a student from choking on his lunch.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Allergies
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Jacob Moss, a cafeteria manager at Lynch Elementary School, successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver on a five-year-old student who was choking on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Paramedics later evaluated the child and confirmed he was doing well.
Why it matters
The quick actions of school staff are vital to ensuring student safety in emergencies. This incident highlights the importance of life-saving training, even when that training was received decades prior.
The manager performed the maneuver 4 or 5 times after learning the technique over 25 years ago in the Boy Scouts. The student was a five-year-old kindergartner.
The players
Jacob Moss
He is the cafeteria manager at Lynch Elementary School who performed the life-saving maneuver.
Byron King
He is a five-year-old kindergartner at Lynch Elementary School who was involved in the choking incident.
Pinellas County Schools
This is the Florida school district that awarded a certificate of recognition to the staff member involved.
The details
After a volunteer alerted a monitor, Jacob Moss left the kitchen to assist the student, Byron King. The staff member successfully dislodged the blockage using the Heimlich maneuver before paramedics arrived to clear the kindergartner.
Timeline
The incident occurred at Lynch Elementary School on September 16, 2026.
Byron King and Jacob Moss held a reunion on September 17, 2026.
The Big Picture
This event reflects the critical reliance on first-aid training protocols consistent with the American Red Cross first aid training standards. It demonstrates how historical instruction continues to play a role in emergency responses within public institutions.
This incident serves as a practical reminder for parents and staff to remain vigilant about choking hazards in school settings. It also underscores the potential value of community members and staff maintaining current first-aid certifications.
The takeaway
Staff training in basic life-saving maneuvers remains a cornerstone of safety in educational environments. Parents should ensure their children are aware of eating safely while school districts continue to emphasize emergency preparedness for all staff.
Further reading
For more information on school health protocols, visit the Allergies section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
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