A school safety officer at Lake Shore High School in St. Clair Shores is being lauded as a hero after reportedly saving a student’s life during a medical emergency earlier this month.
School Safety Officer David Dell was monitoring the lunchroom around noon on May 5 when he noticed a student in distress.
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“I was helping clean tables between lunches and visiting with the special education students when I noticed something was off and immediately took action,” Dell said of the incident.
The student began gesturing toward his throat to indicate he was choking and began to turn red, at which point Dell “sprang into action” and performed the Heimlich maneuver, dislodging the obstruction before the student lost consciousness.
Once the student’s breathing returned to normal, he was escorted to the school office where his condition could be monitored.
“[Dell’s] attentiveness, compassion, and quick response made all the difference,” school officials said in a news release. “Dave is a true hero, and we are incredibly thankful for his calm actions and caring heart.”
Dell is a member of the school’s District Safety Team from Michigan-based security firm Fortis group, and previously worked in law enforcement for 30 years.