NY girl helps choking friend thanks to 'SpongeBob'

[April 23, 2010]  LONG BEACH, N.Y. (AP) -- A 12-year-old Long Island girl is crediting "SpongeBob SquarePants" for teaching her how to help her choking friend.

Miriam Starobin and her best friend, Allyson Golden, were in music class Tuesday when Allyson began choking on her gum. Allyson turned red and started kicking her legs.

Miriam says she remembered an episode from the Nickelodeon animated series in which Squidward gets a clarinet lodged in his throat and SpongeBob does the Heimlich maneuver.

She tried it on Allyson. The gum flew out, and Allyson caught her breath.

Miriam says she is also a fan of medical shows like "Grey's Anatomy" but never had any formal training in the technique.

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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com/

[Associated Press]

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