Turns out TV for kids might not be all bad. It taught 10-year-old Maddie Adams how to do the Heimlich maneuver, after all. And that Heimlich maneuver just happened to save her grandmother’s life.

Maddie learned the life-saving technique on Disney Channel’s “The Suite Life of Zach and Cody” and used it back in September when she realized her grandma needed some assistance. Says the 40-pound girl: “I was really glad that I did it quickly and I could get her to breath,” says Maddie. And grandma Jan says, “I’m eternally thankful. I mean, I will be because it’s amazing to me what she’s done for me, and I think we have a closer bond because of it.”

Last Thursday, little Maddie was honored for her heroics, when she was given the first ever Roderick Award of Courage. The award, named for a civil war horse that died in the battle of Thompson’s Station, came with a check for $1,000. Maddie plans to use it for college.

Of course we don’t promote parking your kids in front of the tube so they can learn life skills. But we do think it’s wise to prep your children for responding to emergency situations. Here, how to teach your young ones the Heimlich maneuver.

Photo by: Siti Saad on flickr