What to Do if You're Choking While Alone

Picture this: You're enjoying a snack, maybe scrolling through your favorite show recaps, and suddenly, that chip or grape goes down the wrong way. Panic sets in.

Choking when you're alone is one of those nightmare scenarios you hope never happens — but if it does, knowing what to do can literally save your life. With the right steps and a little calm (easier said than done, we know), you can handle the situation and breathe easy again.

Ahead, Norman Ng, DO, an emergency medicine doctor at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, shares how to save yourself from choking when no one else is around to help.

When food or a foreign object gets stuck in your throat, it can partially or completely block airflow, leading to asphyxiation, Dr. Ng says. Without enough oxygen, your body quickly goes into hypoxia (oxygen deprivation), which can cause unconsciousness, organ failure or even death within minutes if untreated, he says. That's why swift action is crucial in a choking emergency.

If you think you or someone else is choking, look for these red flags, according to Dr. Ng:

• Unable to speak or make sounds
• Difficulty or inability to breathe
• High-pitched wheezing (stridor) while trying to inhale
• Clutching the throat (the universal choking sign)
• Bluish lips, skin or nails due to lack of oxygen (cyanosis)
• Loss of consciousness if the blockage isn't cleared

Choking while alone can be terrifying, but staying calm is crucial. Knowing choking first aid and following these simple steps could save your life:

If you can cough, keep coughing forcefully to try to clear the blockage, Dr. Ng says. Coughing is the body's natural way to dislodge the object.

If you can't breathe or make noise, move immediately to the next step.

Here's how to do the Heimlich maneuver on yourself, per Dr. Ng:

If the self-Heimlich maneuver isn't practical or effective, use a firm surface for extra force, Dr. Ng says.

1. Lean over a sturdy object like a chair back, table edge or countertop.
2. Position the object above your navel and thrust your upper abdomen against it in an upward motion.

If the standard self-Heimlich maneuver fails, try these methods, Dr. Ng says.

If none of these methods work and you feel yourself losing consciousness, call 911 immediately, even if you can't speak, Dr. Ng says. Emergency dispatchers can trace your location.

Even if you've successfully dislodged the object, it's still important to see a medical provider. Here's why, according to Dr. Ng:

• ‌Airway or esophagus trauma:‌ Forceful techniques like the Heimlich can cause internal injuries.
• ‌Secondary complications:‌ Fragments of the food or object might still be stuck in your airway, increasing the risk of infection.
• ‌Delayed swelling or irritation:‌ Inflammation can develop after the object is removed, potentially obstructing the airway.
• ‌Underlying issues:‌ A medical evaluation can uncover conditions like esophageal motility disorders that raise your choking risk.

Choking emergencies are serious, but knowing what to do — and practicing in advance — can save lives. Prevention is just as important as preparation.

Dr. Ng's tips to lower your choking risk include:

• ‌Take your time:‌ Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and avoid talking or laughing while eating.
• ‌Watch high-risk foods:‌ Be cautious with bread, meats, nuts, grapes, hard candy, and other common choking hazards.
• ‌Know your limits:‌ If you've had choking episodes or swallowing difficulties, especially if you have dysphagia or throat tightness, talk to a health care provider. A speech-language pathologist can evaluate your swallowing function and offer advice on how to improve it.
• ‌Learn CPR and first aid:‌ These skills are invaluable in emergencies and could be life-saving.