A 12-year-old New York girl says the children's television show "Spongebob Square Pants" helped her to save her friend's life.

Miriam Starobin and Allyson Golden were in music class last week when Golden began choking on her gum.

Starobin said she immediately remembered a Sponge Bob episode where he does the Heimlich Maneuver on a friend.

"And Miriam, she goes 'Alli, are you choking?' and I go...," she said nodding.

Starobin's efforts at the Heimlich Maneuver did the trick. The gum flew out and Golden caught her breath.

"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,'" Golden recalled.

No gum, candy, food or drink is allowed in their classroom.

After the incident, the girls' music teacher said that Spongebob can save anyone's life.