A piece of food is stuck, and there’s no one around… A firefighter-rescuer explains the only thing you can do to save yourself if you’re choking.

Choking Alone: What Should You Do?

If a piece of food is completely blocking your airway and you cannot cough, speak, or breathe normally, this is an emergency. Don’t waste time trying to drink water or swallow more food.

If you’re alone:

1. Call your local emergency number immediately. Put the phone on speaker if possible.
2. Make a fist and place it just above your belly button.
3. Grasp the fist with your other hand.
4. Thrust forcefully inward and upward.
5. If needed, bend over a firm, blunt surface such as the edge of a sturdy chair or countertop and drive your upper abdomen against it. Don’t use a sharp edge.
6. Repeat until the object comes out or you become unable to continue.

If you can still cough forcefully

Keep coughing. A strong cough may dislodge the food.

⚠️ Don’t do this

Don’t blindly put your fingers down your throat—you can push the obstruction farther in. Only remove an object from the mouth if you can actually see it.

If you become unconscious, emergency responders or anyone who finds you should begin CPR and follow established choking protocols. The FDA specifically recommends established Red Cross/AHA choking procedures rather than unproven devices or tricks.