The image above captures a moment of camaraderie with Diane Cu of White on Rice Couple, taken on a serene Sunday afternoon. Yet, this photograph belies a far more dramatic event that unfolded just days prior – an incident that brought me terrifyingly close to the brink. “Say WHAT?” you might indeed ask.
As a seasoned professional food writer, a dedicated recipe developer, and an enthusiastic cooking instructor, not to mention a thirty-eight-year-old adult, one might reasonably assume I possess a profound understanding of proper eating habits. Surely, by this stage of life, I would have mastered the fundamentals of dining safely, right? Well, the stark reality is, no. I demonstrably had not. Allow me to rewind a bit and share the full, sobering account.
A Food Blogger Forum Experience Turned Emergency
Last Friday marked the beginning of an exciting journey as I flew down to Orlando to attend the highly anticipated Food Blog Forum. This extraordinary event, meticulously organized by the brilliant minds of Jaden and Scott Hair, alongside the incredibly talented Diane Cu and Todd Porter, promised to be an unparalleled gathering. It was set to feature presentations and insights from a virtual “who’s who” of bloggers whose work and expertise I had deeply respected for years. The esteemed roster included luminaries such as David Leite, Elise Bauer, Julie Deily, and Lindsay Landis.
My anticipation was palpable; I was absolutely thrilled at the prospect of connecting with these incredible individuals at the Friday reception. I entered Saturday’s classes with an eager mind, ready to absorb every ounce of wisdom they were prepared to impart. One particularly cherished moment occurred Saturday morning, just before the lunch break, when I finally connected with Elise Bauer. For years, I had longed to thank her face-to-face for her invaluable guidance, which had led me to my beloved homemade root beer recipe. Delivering those long-overdue thanks, accompanied by a warm hug, filled me with immense joy.
The Moment Life Stood Still: My Choking Incident
Following our session, I made a direct path to the conference room two doors down, where a delightful lunch spread awaited. The culinary team from Disney’s children’s menu chefs had orchestrated an impressive presentation, complete with enchanting Tinkerbell plate flair. The room buzzed with the vibrant, happy sounds of approximately one hundred and fifty food bloggers and service professionals, all engaged in lively conversation, laughter, and the joyful act of munching. I eagerly selected a delicious-looking plate of food, then ambitiously attempted the familiar trifecta of talking, walking, and eating simultaneously. It was precisely at this juncture that my critical error occurred. Since I wasn’t seated at a table, I neglected to cut my food into the small, manageable pieces I typically would. While it wasn’t an excessively large portion, it certainly wasn’t a dainty bite either. Then, in a bewildering moment, the details of which remain hazy to me, that bite of food slid past my control, journeying directly to the back of my throat and lodging itself firmly over my windpipe.
The immediate consequence was terrifying: I could not breathe. My attempts to cough were futile, producing no air, no sound. Speech was impossible. A chilling wave of complete terror washed over me, rendering me utterly helpless.
In the throes of panic, I then committed the very action that every single food service training, every first aid course I had ever attended, vehemently warned against. My instinct was to “save face” – a misguided attempt to preserve my dignity, knowing full well that the obstruction needed to exit my mouth, not continue its perilous journey downward. I walked briskly towards the door, desperately hoping I could cough and expel it once outside, away from prying eyes. In my single-minded, desperate race for the door, I inadvertently placed my hand on the back of Elise Bauer – the very person I had waited so long to thank – and pushed her gently aside. I made it out the door, only to discover the horrifying truth: I was in grave trouble. There was no way to cough, because to initiate a cough, one must first be able to inhale air. And, my friends, absolutely nothing was entering or exiting my lungs. My head began to swim; colors blurred, and – while not a pretty detail, it is a true one – my eyes welled up with tears, and a river of drool poured uncontrollably from my mouth because I simply could not swallow. The primal fear was overwhelming.
I won’t claim my entire life flashed before my eyes, but I will tell you this: in that moment of profound realization that my situation was dire, two thoughts crystallized with astonishing clarity: “Lindy. The boys. Get help now!”
Driven by an urgent, desperate surge of adrenaline, I turned back towards the door, slamming my hand against it as hard as I could. My aim was to draw the attention of anyone nearby, as my voice had failed me completely. Have you ever experienced the utter helplessness of needing to call for help, yet possessing ZERO ability to produce sound? That was my terrifying reality. Thank heavens I hadn’t progressed so far into unconsciousness that I couldn’t at least create a physical disturbance. A couple of chefs and a Disney representative looked my way, and instinctively, I brought both hands to my throat, executing the Universal Sign of Distress*. It was my silent plea for survival.
*I cannot stress the importance of this enough, and I will delve deeper into it shortly. Please, if you read nothing else in this article, scroll to the bottom and engage with the vital information I’ve linked for you. I am absolutely serious about this.
I trusted that these chefs, having undergone similar training over the years, would recognize the sign and know to summon someone capable of intervention. Despite my every instinct leading me to do everything wrong, I couldn’t have been luckier in where I choked. One chef looked directly at me and asked, with a calm urgency, “Are you choking?” I nodded my head emphatically, desperately. He followed with, “Do you need me to do the Heimlich?” My nod was even more vigorous this time; by that point, I knew I was perilously close to losing consciousness. He quickly moved behind me, delivered five strong back blows between my shoulder blades, then wrapped his arms around me and delivered one powerful, upward thrust against my diaphragm. Praise be to the heavens, that piece of pork and potato came flying out of where it had been so dangerously lodged. I spit it out, gasped for air, and then began coughing, hard and uncontrollably. Never in my life had I been so incredibly relieved to be drooling, to have tears streaming down my face making me look like I was sobbing, and to experience a violent coughing jag in a public setting. God bless those Disney representatives. They swiftly guided me to a chair, brought me two glasses of water, and remained vigilantly by my side while I slowly regained my composure and the coughing subsided. I assured them I was okay and emphatically did not require medical attention (Yes, they asked. Repeatedly, and quite rightly so).
The Dangerous Illusion of Dignity Over Safety
With shaky, rubbery legs, I walked to the nearest restroom to tidy myself up, then wandered back into the conference room, still feeling somewhat dazed and disoriented. I found Elise and, with hands still trembling slightly, apologized for pushing her aside, explaining the terrifying ordeal that had just unfolded. She looked at me, utterly shocked. “I had no idea that was going on, Rebecca!” was her genuine response. What had felt so incredibly clear, dramatic, and life-threatening within my own mind had gone almost entirely unnoticed by everyone present, save for one friend who had mistakenly thought I was merely rushing for the door to throw up. Was this due to a lack of observation on their part? ABSOLUTELY NOT. I cannot emphasize that enough. The stark, undeniable truth was that I had completely endangered myself by prioritizing the appearance of normalcy and attempting to hide my emergency, all in a desperate, futile effort to preserve my dignity. Let me state that again, with absolute clarity: I endangered myself.
Recognizing the Universal Signs of Choking: A Critical Skill
Has my story unnerved you? Do you confidently know how to identify if someone else is choking? Sometimes the signs are overtly obvious, but as my own experience illustrates, if an individual attempts to conceal their distress, it can be significantly more challenging to discern. Knowledge is power in these life-or-death situations. Here are some crucial signs and symptoms of choking, provided courtesy of the Better Health Channel:
- Universal Sign of Distress: This is the most recognizable and critical indicator. The person will typically have wide, panicked eyes and will be clutching their throat forcefully with one or both hands. This is an instinctive, universal plea for help.
- Gagging or Retching: If the person appears to be gagging or making retching noises, but nothing substantial (only perhaps drool or nothing at all) is coming out, it’s a strong sign of an airway obstruction.
- Ineffective Coughing: While some coughing can be a sign of a partial obstruction, if someone is coughing uncontrollably but weakly, without expelling anything, or if the cough sounds silent and ineffective, it can indicate severe choking. A strong, productive cough suggests the person may still be able to clear the airway themselves.
- Wheezing or Noisy Breathing: If a person is struggling mightily for breath, audibly wheezing, making high-pitched sounds, or producing no sound at all while attempting to breathe, this strongly suggests that the airway is either partially or completely blocked.
- Watery Eyes: The strain and panic of choking often lead to involuntary watering of the eyes.
- Red or Bluish Face: Initially, the face may turn red from the effort of trying to breathe. As oxygen deprivation continues, the skin, particularly around the lips and fingertips, may begin to turn bluish (cyanosis), indicating a severe lack of oxygen.
- Inability to Talk or Speak at Full Volume: Since air passing over the vocal cords is necessary for speech, a person who is choking severely will be unable to talk, or their voice will be reduced to a faint whisper, if any sound at all.
- Panicked or Distressed Behavior: The overwhelming terror of not being able to breathe will often manifest as extreme agitation, frantic movements, or a glazed, panicked expression.
…This list assumes you are the observer, the one who isn’t choking. But what happens if the tables are turned, and you find yourself in the terrifying position I was in? Many people instinctively clutch their necks as a reflex. I did not; I had to consciously force myself to perform the Universal Sign of Distress.
What to Do if YOU Are Choking: Immediate Actions
If you are the person experiencing a choking emergency, your immediate actions are paramount to your survival. Every second counts:
- Do NOT Leave a Room to Avoid Embarrassment: This is a critical point that nearly cost me my life. Your dignity is insignificant compared to your life. Stay where other people are present and immediately, unequivocally, get their attention. Your isolation could be fatal.
- Attempt to Breathe, Swallow, Cough, or Say a Few Words: Gauge the severity of the obstruction. If you can still make some sound, cough forcefully, or take a shallow breath, it indicates a partial obstruction, and you might be able to clear it yourself. If no air moves, you need immediate help.
- Do Your Best to Remain Calm: While incredibly difficult, maintaining a degree of calmness can allow for more rational decision-making and conserve precious oxygen. Panic can exacerbate the situation.
- Execute the Universal Sign of Distress: If you are not doing it instinctively, consciously raise your hands to your neck and clutch your throat. Use strong, clear hand gestures to indicate to those around you precisely what is happening. This is recognized globally as a sign of choking and is the most effective silent plea for help.
- Cooperate with the Person Helping You: Once someone steps forward to assist, cooperate fully. Trust their training and allow them to perform the Heimlich maneuver or back blows effectively.
Choking Alone: The Self-Heimlich Maneuver
I won’t sugarcoat it: the thought of choking alone is now one of my deepest personal nightmares. This is why it is absolutely vital to take a moment – just a few minutes – to familiarize yourself with the Mayo Clinic’s recommendations on how to clear an obstruction from your airway by yourself. It might sound like a morbid use of your time, but believe me, friends, this knowledge can be the difference between life and death. You simply cannot think clearly (TRUST ME on this) when a choking incident is unfolding, and you certainly won’t have time to Google for instructions. Knowing how to take care of yourself in such a desperate situation is not just good sense; it’s a profound act of self-preservation.
Here’s a basic overview of how to perform the self-Heimlich maneuver, which is crucial if you find yourself alone and choking:
- Make a Fist: Clench one hand into a fist. Place this fist just above your navel (belly button), slightly below your breastbone.
- Grab Your Fist: Cover your fist with your other hand.
- Thrust Inward and Upward: Press your fist hard into your abdomen with a quick, upward thrust. Repeat this motion several times if necessary.
- Utilize an Object (If Possible): If you find this difficult or ineffective, find a firm object such as the back of a chair, the edge of a counter, or a railing. Position yourself so your abdomen is just above your navel, directly over the edge of the object.
- Lean and Thrust: Lean forward and quickly and forcefully thrust your body over the object, pushing your abdomen inward and upward against it. The goal is to create sudden pressure in your diaphragm, similar to how someone else would perform the Heimlich on you.
Practice these mental steps, or even a dry run, for just a few minutes. Also, take some time to talk to your kids about how to do it – another personal nightmare scenario for me, and one where preparedness can make all the difference. Do not regret not taking this chance to empower yourself and your loved ones with life-saving knowledge.
Conclusion: Learn, Prepare, Save a Life
My harrowing experience at the Food Blog Forum was a stark, unforgettable reminder of how quickly life can turn, and how critical it is to be prepared for the unexpected. Choking is a common emergency, yet it remains a leading cause of accidental death, largely preventable with the right knowledge and swift action. The lesson I learned that day – that prioritizing dignity over declaring an emergency can have fatal consequences – is one I hope to instill in everyone. Please, commit to learning basic first aid, including how to recognize the signs of choking in others, how to signal for help when you are choking, and most importantly, how to perform the self-Heimlich maneuver if you are alone. Share this vital information with your family and friends. A few minutes of learning today could very well save a life tomorrow. Do not wait for a personal nightmare to become a reality. Be informed, be prepared, and stay safe.