In the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of Jerusalem, a recent moment of fear turned into a miracle. A six-year-old boy began choking while eating an apple, when a small piece became lodged in his airway. United Hatzalah medics rushed to the scene, quickly identified the life-threatening situation, and performed the Heimlich maneuver that saved his life.
Bency Goldenberg and Aharon Kinestlich, the first United Hatzalah responders on the scene, said: “The call came in while we were working nearby. We arrived quickly and found the child choking and in severe distress. We performed rapid Heimlich maneuvers to remove the foreign object from his airway. The piece of apple came out, and he began breathing on his own. He was later taken to the hospital in stable condition and feeling well.”
Safety at home – what parents can learn from Jerusalem
The event in Ramat Shlomo is a painful reminder of how quickly a private home can turn into an emergency scene. Medical experts stress the importance of cutting fruits and vegetables into very small pieces for children under seven, avoiding round or hard foods (such as grapes, hot dogs, hard apples, or candies), and ensuring parents and caregivers learn the Heimlich technique before an emergency occurs.
According to World Health Organization data, hundreds of thousands of choking cases among children occur every year worldwide, many of them fatal – often caused by ordinary food or small toys. In Israel, several serious cases are reported each month, with food being the most common cause.
This Jerusalem story ends in optimism, but it serves as a reminder that just a few minutes and basic preparedness can make the difference between tragedy and survival.
