OAKWOOD — A Hall County school resource officer is being hailed as a hero after saving a choking student’s life during lunch.
Hall County Deputy Zack Marley routinely sits with students during lunch at West Hall High School where he serves as school resource officer. But Thursday’s lunch period turned frightening in a matter of seconds when Marley heard his name being yelled by teachers at about 12:10 p.m.
As Marley approached the calls for assistance in the lunchroom, he soon realized a female student needed his help. When he asked the 15-year-old if she was choking, she pointed at her throat and nodded her head yes, according to Marley.
The Deputy, who has received first aid training from both the Sheriff’s Office and Hall County School District, began abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver, on the student.
The student was examined by the school nurse and did not require any additional treatment.
“It scared me because that is one of my students,” Marley said. “I look at them as my own kids, so when I see one of them is in trouble, it startles me. I go into action on helping my kids. They’re not just students, they’re my kids.”
According to Marley, the girl was choking on a grape.
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