This photo shows me with Diane Cu of White on Rice Couple on a Sunday afternoon. It feels surreal to share this, but I want to be clear about what happened and what I learned.
You might assume that, as a professional food writer, recipe developer and cooking instructor in my late thirties, I’d instinctively know how to eat safely. I don’t. At least, I didn’t that day. Here’s the story.
Last Friday I flew to Orlando to attend the Food Blog Forum, an event I’d long wanted to attend. It was organized by colleagues I admire and featured many bloggers I respect. I was excited to meet speakers and friends, and I had a chance to thank Elise Bauer in person for recommending a favorite homemade root beer recipe. I hugged her, told her how much I appreciated her post, and then headed to the luncheon nearby.
The lunch was presented with Disney flair, and the room buzzed with about 150 food bloggers and industry folks. I grabbed a plate, then tried to multitask—talking, walking and eating—which was the first mistake. Standing away from a table, I didn’t cut my food into small bites. A piece of pork and potato slipped to the back of my throat and became completely lodged over my windpipe.
I could not breathe. I could not cough. I could not speak. Panic set in fast.
In a misguided attempt to hide my embarrassment, I walked briskly toward the door hoping I could cough it out in private. In my rush I accidentally pushed past Elise, who I had just thanked. Once I reached the doorway I realized the situation was dire: I couldn’t inhale to cough and nothing was coming in or out. My vision dimmed, tears filled my eyes, and saliva pooled at the corners of my mouth—I couldn’t swallow.
At that point I had two urgent thoughts: my family and getting help now. I returned to the doorway and pounded on it as hard as I could to attract attention because I had no voice. A few nearby chefs and Disney representatives noticed and one asked if I was choking. I nodded emphatically and then made the universal gesture for choking by clutching my throat.
A chef immediately reacted. He delivered several hard back blows between my shoulder blades, then moved behind me for an abdominal thrust—the Heimlich maneuver. The lodged piece of food flew out. I expelled it, took in air, and started coughing hard. Relief washed over me. The Disney team guided me to a chair, gave me water, and stayed with me until I recovered. They asked if I needed medical attention; I declined after they checked me over and I felt steady again.
I went to the bathroom to compose myself and then returned to the conference room. I apologized to Elise for bumping into her and explained what had happened. She was surprised—she hadn’t realized I’d been choking. That’s the point: by trying to look normal, I put myself in far greater danger.
Let me repeat that plainly: I endangered myself by trying to hide the problem. If you’re ever in the same situation, please don’t do what I did.
How to Recognize Signs of Choking in Someone Else
Choking isn’t always obvious. If someone tries to conceal it, it’s harder to spot. Watch for these signs, often noted by health organizations:
- Universal sign of distress: clutching the throat with one or both hands and wide, panicked eyes.
- Gagging or retching with only drool or nothing coming up.
- Uncontrolled or ineffective coughing.
- Struggling to breathe or audible wheezing, indicating a partial or complete airway blockage.
- Watery eyes or tearing.
- Face turning red or later pale.
- Inability to speak or only whispering.
- Clear panic, distress, or frantic movements.
What to Do If YOU Are the Person Choking
- Do NOT leave the room to hide your embarrassment. Stay where others can see you and get their attention immediately.
- Try to breathe, swallow, cough or speak a few words to indicate your condition.
- Remain as calm as you can; panic will make breathing harder.
- If you can, raise your hands to your neck to show the universal sign of distress so bystanders understand you’re choking.
- Cooperate with anyone helping you—follow instructions quickly and clearly.
So What Do You Do If You’re Alone and Choking?
- If you are alone, try self-rescue techniques. Learn and practice them ahead of time so you can act without thinking. Trusted medical sources such as the Mayo Clinic describe methods like performing abdominal thrusts on yourself using a chair or the edge of a countertop, or performing repeated forceful abdominal thrusts with a fist. Familiarize yourself with these steps before an emergency occurs.
- Teach children and family members what to do, and discuss choking response at home. Preparation reduces hesitation and can save lives.
My experience was terrifying, but it taught me an important lesson: never try to hide a medical emergency. Recognize the signs, act quickly, and learn basic first aid. A few moments of preparation—knowing how to identify choking and how to respond—can make all the difference.