A Grade 6 student in Cape Breton used the life-saving skills he learned in a babysitting course to save his friend from choking Wednesday.

Tristan Unsworth used the Heimlich manoeuvre on Travis Hayes, his classmate at Mountainview Elementary School in Howie Centre.

Travis was sucking on a large peppermint when he started to laugh, lodging the candy in his windpipe.

"I was right nervous and I didn't know what to do and I couldn't talk, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't do anything," Travis told CBC News Thursday.

His face turned red and he wrapped his hands around his neck. A teacher soon realized it was no joke.

The teacher tried to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre. When that didn't work, she pulled Travis into an adjoining classroom to look for help but couldn't find anyone.

At that point, Tristan, who was at the back of the class, jumped into action.

He learned the Heimlich manoeuvre in February during a babysitting course, and with one squeeze, he dislodged the candy.

"I just went over and did it to him, and then it eventually came out," Tristan said. "Then I just walked back over to my seat and just sat down."

Travis was a little sore after but he's doing fine.

Tristan finds all the attention that he's receiving a little overwhelming.

He said he understands that people think he's a hero, but in his opinion, he just put his training to good use.

"I'm just happy that I did it and he's still alive," Tristan said.

The babysitting course was offered through their school.