Clint Eastwood -- Saves 200 lb Man With CPR Airlift

Clint Eastwood didn't know jack about CPR when he noticed a man who appeared to be choking to death ... but Dirty Harry took care of business ... repeatedly lifting the man in the air and squeezing the cheese out of him.

Clint was at a golf event in Monterey, CA at a golf tourney this week when he noticed the tournament director -- Steven John -- choking and not able to breathe.

Clint told a local paper "I looked in his eyes and saw that look of panic people have when they see their life passing before their eyes. It looked bad."

Now here's what's awesome. Clint -- who had never performed the Heimlich in his 82 years of life -- came up from behind the 202 lb man, bearhugged him and threw him up in the air 3 times.

The pride of Wisconsin propelled out of John's mouth and all was good.