LAVON, Texas — What started as a fun afternoon on the trampoline quickly turned into a frightening moment for one Collin County family, until a young girl’s quick thinking saved the day.

Leah, the daughter of Heather James, Special Programs Administrator for the Lavon Police Department, jumped into action when her brother began choking while they were playing. 

Remembering what she’d learned through the Lavon Babysitter Club, the 10-year-old performed abdominal thrusts, commonly known as the Heimlich maneuver, and successfully cleared her brother’s airway.

Her mother said Leah had learned the lifesaving skills from instructor guides used in the local babysitting program, which teaches CPR and basic first aid techniques.

Leah, who turns 11 on Oct. 28, showed maturity and composure far beyond her years when it mattered most. Officials said her calm response in a real emergency shows that lifesaving training can make a difference, no matter your age.

“Teach your children CPR and choking rescue techniques,” the Lavon Police Department said in a statement. “You never know when those few minutes could mean everything.”