Miami Legend Survives With Help From Commissioner

MIAMI (CBS4) - One month ago, South Florida automobile legend Anthony Abraham celebrated his 100th birthday. But, Saturday night, he made the news again after nearly choking to death at a Miami Beach hotel.

Abraham was attending a dinner honoring student mentors at the Ritz Carlton on Saturday night. As he was eating, a piece of meat apparently became lodged in his throat. Witnesses said Mr. Abraham began turning blue.

His savior turned out to be Miami-Dade County Commissioner Carlos Giminez. The commissioner saw two people trying to perform the Heimlich maneuver, but they were squeezing too high. That's when the former Miami Fire Chief took action.

Giminez said he grabbed Abraham and lifted him up. He put his hands in a fist, above the belly button and pushed it up. That burst of air forced the food out of Abraham's throat and he could breathe again. He was transported to Mt. Sinai Medical Center as a precaution.

"We did a test and I told him he could go home, and he was very happy because he hates being in the hospital," Abraham's personal doctor, Dr. Daniel Cassis, said.

Dr. Cassis said there are four easy steps to performing the Heimlich maneuver: Stand behind the victim, make a fist with one hand and cradle it with the other hand, place your hands under the rib cage and apply quick, forceful squeezes until the food pops out.

Both Dr. Cassis and Commissioner Giminez said everyone should know how to perform the Heimlich maneuver and CPR. To find out more about how to perform the life-saving techniques, you can get training at your local fire department, or contact the American Heart Association.