Who lives in a Pineapple and knows the Heimlich? SpongeBob SquarePants!!! We know adults and kids alike find SpongeBob entertaining, but who knew he could help save lives???

A 12 year-old girl from Long Island does. She credits SpongeBob for showing her how to perform the Heimlich maneuver which she later used to save the life of a choking friend. Miriam, a seventh-grader, and her bestie Allyson, had just finished rehearsing the song, "I Feel Pretty," from West Side Story for an upcoming competition when their teacher cracked a joke that had the 12-year-olds rolling on the floor in laughter. But the laughter in the music class soon stopped because Allyson started choking on her gum. Then she began kicking her legs and turning red.

In an interview with ABC News Miriam said, "Allyson was chewing gum, which she shouldn't have been doing, and we were laughing and then the gum gets lodged in Ally's throat. And she stopped laughing, which was weird because Ally laughs a lot.  Her hands were around her throat and she's turning purple and I'm going, 'Oh my God!' The first thing I did was channel Sponge Bob.  I saw Sponge Bob do the Heimlich."So Miriam sprang into action. With memories of Sponge Bob in her head, Miriam quickly started performing the Heimlich maneuver and Allyson's gum popped out of her mouth.  Allyson realized almost immediately what her friend had done. "I gave her the biggest hug and I was like, 'Miriam you just saved my life. I owe you big time.' And she's just, 'Oh, no, it was no big deal.'"

According to Nickelodeon there are two specific episodes in which a choking friend is saved during a SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon.  In one episode Squidward swallows a fork and is revived by Patrick. In another episode Squidward has a clarinet in his throat and was saved by SpongeBob. “It was smart thinking on Miriam's part, and we are happy that SpongeBob could be such a positive help” said a spokesperson from Nickelodeon. (I think Squidward needs to be more careful…)

So, moral of the story, Miriam is a hero, and Allyson knows not to chew gum in class anymore. Lesson learned. But seriously, choking due to an obstructed airway is one of the leading causes of accidental death. According to the Heimlich Institute, “If a choking person is not coughing, breathing, or is unable to speak, that's your cue to perform the Heimlich maneuver immediately. If a choking victim needs your help, immediately follow these steps.

The Heimlich Maneuver for Choking Adults

1. Call 911
2. From behind, wrap your arms around the victim's waist.
3. Make a fist and place the thumb side of your fist against the victim's upper abdomen, below the ribcage and above the navel.
4. Grasp your fist with your other hand and press into their upper abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Do not squeeze the ribcage; confine the force of the thrust to your hands.
5. Repeat until object is expelled.
6. If unsure, watch SpongeBob SquarePants.

Stacy Matson is a health enthusiast from Southern California and regularly blogs on Celebrity Health for A Healthier World, as well as contributing to the Best of the Best.