A waiter in Kitchener, Ont. is being hailed as a hero after saving a nine-month-old baby’s life at a local restaurant on Monday. Karli Walters was eating lunch with a friend when her son Kyle began choking on some french fries. That’s when a fast-acting waiter, Mychel Hendricks, moved in to help.

“I was really surprised how quickly that child turned purple,” he told CTV Kitchener. “In less than 30 seconds, the child’s lips were like a deep purple-blue.”

The panicked mother said the whole ordeal was terrifying.

“I didn't know what the outcome was going to be. If anyone was going to be able to save Kyle,” Walters said. “It was the worst thing I've ever experienced."

Hendricks is also a fitness instructor, a teacher and a father himself. He used his CPR training to help Kyle spit out the food he was choking on.

“I'm like you know what, there is no way this child is going to go,” Hendricks said.

Hendricks said that you never know when the opportunity to lend a hand will arise and he’s encouraging people to get First Aid certification. Even though he took his training 15 years ago, it all came back to him during that moment at the restaurant.

“I just want to encourage people if you get the opportunity at St. John’s or wherever,” he said. “Get your CPR training because you never know when you need it."

For Walters, Hendricks’ willingness to help is something she will never forget.

“There are really no words you can use to thank someone who saved your child's life," she said.

Hendricks remains as humble as ever after the experience.

"You never know when you can help somebody out and that's what it's all about," he said. "Anytime we get a chance to give back ...This is what we’re supposed to do."

Even though Hendricks thinks of himself as an average guy, his community believes otherwise. He was honoured by Kitchener’s mayor and council on Monday night. Coun. Kelly Galloway-Sealock has two sons and said “I just feel really good and comfortable in our community that there are people who will step up.”