Help a Choking Adult in a Packed Restaurant

Summary

Safety first

• Do not attempt abdominal thrusts if the person can cough or speak—encourage them to continue coughing.
• Only move furniture if it can be done safely and without causing injury to yourself or others.
• Stop and call for professional help immediately if the person becomes unresponsive.
• Do not perform abdominal thrusts on pregnant women or obviously obese individuals—instead, use chest thrusts.
• Always protect your own safety and the safety of bystanders; avoid aggressive maneuvers in tight spaces.

Tools you’ll need

• Phone (to call emergency services)
• Gloves (if available)

Materials

• First aid kit (optional)
• Barrier device for rescue breathing (optional, if trained and needed)

Step-by-step

• Assess the person: Ask loudly if they can speak or cough; look for hands on the throat and inability to respond.
• If the person cannot cough, speak, or breathe, announce clearly to nearby diners that a choking emergency is happening; request someone call emergency services (911).
• Stand behind the person—move chairs/tables if necessary to make space, keeping safety in mind.
• Begin abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver): Wrap your arms around their waist, place your fist above their navel, and perform quick, inward and upward thrusts.
• Continue thrusts until the object is dislodged or the person becomes unresponsive.
• If the person becomes unresponsive, gently lower them to the floor if possible and begin CPR if you are trained; continue until help arrives.
• Monitor the person after the obstruction is removed and seek medical evaluation even if they seem fine.

Troubleshooting

• If you cannot reach fully around the person due to crowding, ask others to help move obstacles or relocate the person to clearer space if possible.
• If the object does not come out, continue thrusts and prepare for CPR if needed.
• If others interfere, loudly and authoritatively direct them to clear the area or assist as needed.
• If unsure whether the person is truly choking, look for universal signs: inability to speak, cough, or breathe; clutching the throat.

Common mistakes

• Delaying action while waiting for others to act.
• Performing thrusts if the person can still cough, risking injury.
• Not calling for help immediately due to panic or confusion.
• Using too little or too much force with thrusts.
• Failing to clear enough space to perform the maneuver safely.

When to call a pro

• Call emergency services immediately if the person cannot speak, cough, or breathe.
• Call for help if the obstruction does not clear after repeated thrusts.
• Call for medical evaluation even after successful removal, especially if the person appears weak or sustained injury.

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