Lisa Bennett, 60, was eating lunch at home when a piece of chicken became lodged in her throat. Alone and unable to breathe, Bennett, a former nurse, used her knowledge of abdominal thrusts to perform the Heimlich maneuver on herself, ultimately dislodging the food and saving her life.
Bennett described the terrifying experience, saying, "I could make no noise and get no air. I was terrified." She realized she had only seconds before collapsing. After trying to cough and hitting her back with no success, she decided to perform the maneuver on herself using the edge of a breakfast bar stool. On the third attempt, the obstruction was cleared, and she was able to breathe again.
According to Professor Andrew Hartle, chief medical officer at St John Ambulance, choking is a medical emergency that can be fatal within minutes if not addressed. He noted that many people are unaware of the correct first aid procedures for choking. While children and the elderly are at higher risk, choking can happen to anyone. Common culprits include meat, sweets, nuts, pizza, and fruit. For young children, small toys can also pose a risk, while older individuals may be more susceptible due to reduced muscle tone and saliva production.
If someone is choking and alone, Professor Hartle advises calling emergency services immediately. If unable to speak, making sounds or tapping the phone keypad can alert operators to the situation. The next step is to attempt to cough forcefully. If that fails, self-administered abdominal thrusts can be performed by placing a clenched fist between the belly button and the bottom of the chest, then grasping the fist with the other hand and pulling sharply inward and upward. Bennett's abdomen was bruised from the forceful execution of the maneuver.
For those witnessing someone else choking, the recommended steps include encouraging coughing, administering five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades, and if that doesn't work, performing five abdominal thrusts by standing behind the person and using a similar inward and upward motion on their abdomen. If the blockage persists, emergency services should be called, and the back blows and abdominal thrusts should be repeated. If the person becomes unresponsive, CPR should be initiated.