Choking could happen anywhere. If you’re in a restaurant, food court or eating with other people, they can call for help and try to dislodge whatever is blocking your airway.
But what if you’re alone? Choking happens suddenly. It can be difficult or impossible to breathe. If you don’t clear your airway quickly, your life could be in danger.
It’s important to know what steps to take if you’re choking and you’re alone. When there’s nobody around to help, taking action can mean the difference between a scary moment and a dangerous situation.
What is choking, exactly?
Jasjot Johar, MD, an emergency department physician with Banner Health, explained there are two tubes leading downward from the throat. One of those is the trachea, which goes into the lungs. The other tube is the esophagus, which goes to the stomach.
“Obviously, the only thing that should be going down the trachea into the lungs is air,” said Dr. Johar. “Any food, fluids or anything other than air going down that pipe would be considered very dangerous.”
He said that the most common food adults choke on is meat — typically, steak or chicken. While fish bones can get stuck, they rarely cause choking.
1. Recognize the signs of choking
When you’re choking, you may not be able to speak or cough much or at all if your airway is completely blocked. You can talk with a partially blocked airway. Just because you can talk doesn’t mean everything is OK, warned Dr. Johar.
Choking may make it hard for you to breathe. It can be scary but try your best to stay calm. Panicking could make the blockage worse or make it hard for you to act.
2. Call 911
“If you are truly choking and it affects your breathing, you only have a few seconds to minutes before you pass out,” Dr. Johar said. “Having trained EMS rescuers on the way while you attempt to dislodge the object is critical.”
It’s a good idea to have your phone nearby whenever you’re eating so you can reach it quickly if you’re choking. Even in cases where other people are there to help, it’s important to have professionals on the way. Plus, dispatchers may be able to give you instructions.
Another good idea is to check if you can text 911 or use a special emergency app on your phone in your community. That way, you’re prepared in advance to use it if you need to get help for any emergency and you can’t speak.
3. Take steps to dislodge the obstruction
Cough forcefully to try to dislodge the blockage. If that doesn’t work, you can perform the self-Heimlich. “It surprises people, but you can actually do the Heimlich maneuver on yourself,” Dr. Johar said. Here’s how:
- Stand up straight or slightly lean forward if you’re sitting.
- Make a fist with one hand and place it under your rib cage in the center of your upper abdomen, above your belly button, with the thumb side facing in.
- Place your other hand underneath your fist and push upward and inward in a sharp motion. Use strong, quick thrusts, like you’re trying to get the air out of your lungs. Keep thrusting until the object is dislodged.
If you’re not able to push on your fist with your other hand, you can push on it with the back of a chair or the corner of a countertop. “It may not be the most effective, but if you are alone this may be your only option,” Dr. Johar said.
Don’t reach down your throat to try to pull something out. “This will likely push anything that is stuck further in and make the situation worse,” Dr. Johar said. You shouldn’t try to reach in and remove something if someone else is choking, either.
Reduce the risk of choking
“Choking is always accidental. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of these potentially tragic accidents,” Dr. Johar said.
- Cut your food into small pieces to reduce the risk of large chunks getting stuck in your throat.
- Take your time to chew food thoroughly and swallow before taking another bite. “Trying to eat too fast or putting too much food in your mouth at once is perhaps the most frequent cause of choking in healthy adults. Eating on the run is not a good idea,” Dr. Johar said.
- If you wear dentures or have partials, make sure they fit well and are regularly maintained.
- Take extra care if you’re drinking alcohol, taking sedating medications or have any other factors that decrease your alertness.
- Be cautious with foods known to pose choking hazards, such as whole grapes, nuts and hard candies, especially with young children and older adults. “Slicing hot dogs, cutting grapes in half, avoiding peanuts, etc. has become a standard part of parenting practice. But people forget that similar precautions need to be taken in older people and people who have had strokes,” Dr. Johar said.
- Treat acid reflux. “Acid reflux can cause scarring all the way up your throat and put you at higher risk for choking. If you have frequent heartburn, address it with your physician,” Dr. Johar said.
- See your health care provider if it often feels like food gets stuck when you’re swallowing. “You should have that investigated before it becomes a serious problem,” Dr. Johar said.
It’s also a good idea to take cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid training so you know how to respond to choking and other emergencies.
The bottom line
Choking is always scary – and choking when you’re alone can be even more frightening. Being prepared can help you stay calm and contact 911.
You can perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself to try to dislodge the object. Never try to reach down your throat to pull something out, since you’re likely to push it in further.
If you need care for a condition that makes you more likely to choke, such as acid reflux or the feeling that food gets stuck when you’re swallowing, talk to your health care provider or an expert at Banner Health.
