If this is happening right now, choking is a life-threatening emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately—don’t wait to see whether it passes. The FDA advises following established choking first-aid protocols.
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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If you’re alone and choking
If you cannot cough forcefully, speak, or breathe:
Call emergency services immediately. If you’re unable to speak, keep the call connected if possible so dispatchers can send help.
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American Red Cross
Make a fist and place it just above your belly button.
Grasp your fist with your other hand.
Bend forward over a firm surface, such as the back of a sturdy chair or a countertop.
Drive your upper abdomen inward and upward against the surface repeatedly until the object comes out.
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Mayo Clinic
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If possible, continue trying to get emergency help until the airway is clear.
Don’t use a sharp corner or anything that could injure you.
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American Red Cross
If you can still cough, speak, or breathe, keep coughing forcefully. Don’t blindly put your fingers into your throat; you could push the food farther down.
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American Red Cross
After a significant choking episode, medical assessment is advisable, particularly if abdominal/chest thrusts were required or you continue to have coughing, pain, difficulty swallowing, or breathing problems.
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