The Long Island woman, Kristin Comeau, taught her 3-year-old sign language as a hobby. And that proved very helpful Wednesday, when the woman began to cough uncontrollably and had trouble breathing.

She dialed 911 for help, but when the operator answered, she couldn't speak.

That's when her daughter came to the rescue.

Her mom signed the word "help" to the girl, who repeated it to the operator.

Then, another lesson paid off. The girl gave the operator her address, as she had been taught by her father.

A short time later, an ambulance arrived and took the woman to a hospital, where she was treated for an apparent allergic reaction.

By The Associated Press