"I heard him choking": 8-year-old boy survives severe allergic reaction thanks to his cousin

Noya, a 17-year-old from Modiin and a MADA volunteer for the past two years, never expected that a casual summer day would turn into a life-saving mission for her 8-year-old cousin, Amit. While he was playing in the backyard pool, she suddenly heard him coughing.

"At first, I thought he had swallowed water," she recalls. "But then I realized he was truly choking. I rushed to him and saw him frantically scratching his chest, where a rash had appeared, looking like a reaction to a sting."

At that moment, her MADA training kicked in. "We are taught that when two body systems are involved—in this case, the skin and the respiratory system—one must suspect a severe allergic reaction. We initially considered driving to a clinic, but when Amit complained of a burning sensation in his throat and severe pain, I knew we had to call for an ambulance immediately."

While the family tried to keep Amit calm, Noya took charge. She positioned him to help him breathe, called the 101 dispatch center, and retrieved her sister’s medic bag, which happened to be in the house. Inside, she found an EpiPen.

"I saw his throat swelling to nearly double its size, and he was becoming exhausted and struggling to breathe," Noya says. "Even though he is my little cousin, in those moments, I saw a patient whose life I was fighting for. I knew I would save him."

Following the dispatcher's guidance, Noya administered the injection. "It's a painful shot, and he screamed, but I knew it was necessary." Immediately after, she connected him to a manual oxygen tank. Within minutes, his condition began to stabilize: the swelling subsided, the coughing stopped, and he was able to speak again.

Paramedics soon arrived and transported Amit to Assaf Harofeh Hospital. He has since been discharged and is in good condition, while the family continues medical tests to identify the trigger of the reaction.

Amit's mother, Rinat, expressed her gratitude: "I've known Noya since she was a baby. When she asked about allergies, I was terrified, but I knew she was experienced and professional. She didn't just save Amit; she kept me calm and explained that everything was under control. I love her so much."

MADA reminds the public: if you suspect a severe allergic reaction, call 101 immediately. If an EpiPen is available, use it according to the dispatcher's instructions: remove the blue safety cap, press the orange tip against the outer thigh at a 90-degree angle until it clicks, hold for 10 seconds, and then massage the injection site.