To be honest, I didn't even think of anything else. I'd never done the Heimlich, wasn't trained, it just seemed like the thing to try.

I really hope it's about Heimlich, not really thrusts :)
"Are you choking? Here comes the punch!"

I agree with your callout on specific info. Disagree with the sentiment because the article is long and I missed that info in the first pass because most of the article talks about the research (and doesn't seem to link accurately). I'll add the preceding paragraph that you mentioned. Thanks

The only times I've been a bit worried have been eating chicken that I could get down with water so not really the same thing but sometimes it's gotten difficult enough I've wondered if I'll need a bit of help, but that's not really choking or close to blackout. Unfortunately the times I remember I've been alone, in an apartment building 10+ floors up in a foreign country. Agreed the safest bet is others but based on those situations I think there are times where it's tough to guarantee another person will see you and I was aiming to learn what my last resort should be.

This video is surprisingly entertaining and covers:

• You can't talk to 911 (or equivalent) if you're chocking
• Ideally go where people might see you
• How to try to dislodge what you're chocking on if no-one helps

that seems… atypical? in australia at least, the average response time for a code 1 (most critical) emergency is 15-16min depending on the state

which is still super problematic for complete obstruction (your 5+5min might even be too high for a complete obstruction)

but 45min would make the ambulance service as a whole basically a useless concept

No, not chest compressions, though that IS what you go to if they don't stop choking, and then become unconscious (because not breathing is a direct path to not beating). Again, I'll refer to the wikipedia article someone else has posted in these comments, but chest 'thrusts' are similar to the abdominal thrust, but your hands are placed higher, around the rib cage rather than just under it as with the heimlich/abdominal.

Depends on where you are. I'm a stone's throw from the ambulance. I can quite literally see it out my back window. Most people in the city I live in will see an ambulance within 10 minutes of the call. Contrast that with where I lived a couple of years ago, and 45 minutes might be the earliest, and up to 90 minutes at the most. We had one ambulance for ~20,000 people in a 1,000 square mile area. If ambulance one was called out, a second ambulance was rolled from the next area over to just the edge of ours. I'd say that situation was pretty typical for 5-10% of the people in my greater geographical area, i.e., if you lived outside of a big city.

Yeah my first aid training through American Red Cross mandated 5 back blows

https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/resources/learn-first-aid/adult-child-choking

The NHS also recommends doing this

https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/first-aid/

From Hundred Hand Slap to a variation of his forward P throw....

I remember health class around 1993 we were watching a filmstrip from the 70s or early 80s, and the filmstrip told us to do the back blows before performing the Heimlich maneuver. Our health teacher then paused the video and told us NOT to do the back blows, because new research had found that back blows are more likely to push the obstruction further inwards.

I’m glad they had it right in the filmstrip!

Learn to be ok with taking the L and spit food that is too hot back out of your mouth instead of swallowing. Also, test the temperature with smaller bits that will cool inside your mouth easier before going for a big bite.

It's something I've thought about a bunch and the strategy I've come up with is:

If your breath is blocked, hold your breath at first and stay calm. Trying to breathe in could wedge it farther in. And trying to breathe out will likely move it, but gravity might just drop it back where it was only with less air in your lungs, which you need to help dislodge the obstruction. Panicking will make you more likely to waste your chance at getting it without needing to fall on something and potentially break ribs (or fail and die). You'll probably have to suppress your cough reflex. I've never done this before and have no idea how much conscious control one would have in that moment and I'm also someone who trained myself to be able to suppress coughs (to avoid embarrasing bong hits lol).

Lean forward, the farther the better, to the point where loose food in your throat will just fall out your mouth. Then cough, if you make it also a growl, you can add more force, as you don't want to half-ass this. Your air might still be limited.

You should be able to feel if you're making any progress. If you are, keep at it, if not, switch to the "fall on something to knock the wind out of you" strategy, still keeping your mouth angled down and add a cough as it impacts.

If that fails, make a big ruckus. I've told my daughter that if she starts choking and can't speak to get my attention, knock dishes onto the floor to get my attention. If you're completely alone in your home, throw a pot out your window before running out your front door. Try to be efficient with your time and energy. Dial 911 and hope they send someone and don't assume a prank call or a kid when no one responds.

But if they did, they'd billow majestically thanks to this good Samaritan.

We're god's perfect creations, except accidentally running the very simple commands "swallow" and "breath" at the same time can result in a fatal error.

Yeah I have no doubt about it, it's a pretty unmistakable thing to catch, surprise then terror

Holding down the up and power button brings my phone into recovery mode... It's a bit like that. Just don't run both commands, if you don't want to wipe disable your device.

Hmm ok, let me do some research on hot potatoes and I'll get back to you.

Water. Lots of it.

Chest compressions force air out of the lungs pretty violently. If there's a blockage in the oesophagus, and you can't perform abdominal thrusts (due to obesity for example), chest compressions are an acceptable alternative.

For me that list is pretty short and I am unlikely to actually be in a situation to sit back and enjoy.

hot and starchy

I need more information. Are the potatoes stuck in your throat mashed? Or if they aren't, are you able to get a masher in there? Might help loosen it up and make it more delicious if you add some butter and milk or heavy cream.

I just read the Wikipedia entry for the Heimlich manuever. Its creator is now seen as a big fraud. So much drama around it.

Heimlich's son, Peter M. Heimlich, alleges that in August 1974 his father published the first of a series of fraudulent case reports in order to promote the use of abdominal thrusts for near-drowning rescue.

For sure. The dude that came up with it really made it a point to get the word out. So much so that it's synonymous with choking now which is a great thing.

I’d need less motivation if it were a link

Don't forget the amusement park right next to the waste disposal facility.

Sounds like the second piece ought to shove the first one faster. All good.

I get water and drink that too.

I often burn my mouth, oesophagus and hands because my tolerance for heat are greater then what my skin can handle it seems

When I was a kid, my mom put a lot of effort into teaching and reminding us to cut up our food into small pieces to make choking less likely.

I don't know if this story is true, but she would always reference how a relative of hers had gotten steak stuck in his throat, couldn't communicate that, and died in the middle of the dining room seating, surrounded by relatives I guess just thought he was being quiet.

(And that's why you always leave a note)

edit: Correct a word.

Can you imagine how that family must have felt? Awful.

There should be a link, unless its not loading correctly for you?

Here if is

https://theconversation.com/what-to-do-if-someones-choking-evidence-says-begin-with-back-blows-273903

I've seen students/applicants there make the same joke 😄

The history

https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/about/cumming-school-medicine/history

Truly. I can't imagine the guilt.