Knowing how to save someone from choking, including yourself, is a core safety skill to add to your toolbox.
Choking is one of the scariest emergencies that can happen. It strikes without warning, and it can occur anywhere: the restaurant, a senior center, or alone at home. It can happen to anyone. Here in Alaska, where many of us live far from the nearest hospital, knowing what to do could mean the difference between life and death.
When someone is choking, something is blocking their airway. This is usually food. The person cannot breathe, speak, or cough properly. You may notice them grabbing at their throat, which is called the universal sign for choking. Their face may turn red, then bluish. If you see this happening, you must act fast.
The most well-known technique for helping a choking adult is the Heimlich maneuver, also called abdominal thrusts. Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their waist. Make a fist with one hand and place it just above their belly button, with your thumb pressed into their belly. Grab your fist with your other hand and give quick, firm, upward thrusts. Repeat this until the object comes out or the person can breathe again. If the person becomes unconscious, begin CPR if you know how. You should always call 9-1-1 to assess the person even if the object comes out and they are breathing again.
But what if you are alone and you start choking? This is a real concern, especially for people who live by themselves. First, try to cough hard. A strong cough can sometimes dislodge the object. If that does not work, you can perform abdominal thrusts on yourself. Make a fist, place it above your belly button, grab it with your other hand, and push inward and upward with firm force. Another option is to use a sturdy chair, countertop, or table edge. Lean over it and press your upper abdomen firmly against the edge, using your body weight to push the object free. This self-rescue method has saved lives.
For seniors, choking risks are higher than for younger adults. Dental problems, dry mouth from medications, and slower swallowing reflexes all play a role. Taking smaller bites, chewing food slowly and thoroughly, and avoiding talking or laughing while eating are simple habits that can lower your risk every day.
Learning these skills properly is important. All frontline CPR training companies offer in-person and online first aid and CPR classes that include choking response. You can find a class near you by calling the American Red Cross of Alaska or a CPR company you know. Contact your local fire department, hospital, or senior center, as they may have a list of upcoming free or low-cost classes right in your community. The American Red Cross also keeps a location-based list of CPR training.
Do not wait for an emergency to learn these skills. Talk to a neighbor, a family member, or a caregiver about what to do if choking happens. Practice the steps. The few minutes it takes to learn this skill today could save a life tomorrow, and it just might be your own.
Christian M. Hartley is an Alaska resident with three decades of public safety and public service experience. He lives in Big Lake with his wife and their three sons.
