Thank goodness you are ok Mel. That is truly frightening. I would think most people know how to do the Heimlich, but maybe they don't actually.

Everyone I've asked (I once almost choked to death while two friends sat inches away drinking beer and chatting) knows what the Heimlich is but no one knows exactly how to do it.

Barbara, you are a wonderful resource! It wouldn't occur to me to print off or email copies of the internet instructions to everyone at the office. Excellent idea!

Of course I eat my lunch in the car with one dog watching from the back seat. I now always, always chew everything extremely well and don't rush myself, as I don't think poor Scout would be able to save me - the Heimlich does require hands yes?

I'm eating grapes today- as long as I chew I should be safe!

Anne- I probably would swallow the wrapper! and I'd certainly not stop at one snickers...that's where the real danger lies!

Off to see what today holds

Mel

Mel, how scary! I'm so glad you're okay. (And that you're now able to tell such a humorous story.)

I remember learning the Heimlich manuveur in school as a child. And then I remember learning about diffusion of responsibility and of course "passing the buck". Sadly, when you're in trouble you're better off actually having less people around. One of them is more likely to actually do something.

Sorry, that was a tangent. But, it makes me upset that no one stood up to try and help you. I'm sure someone knew the Heimlich manuveur.

Oh for sure!! Could be QUITE more dangerous then some pit.

Ummm.... Just hoping that they're the seedless ones . Just kidding.

Hope your day is uneventful.

Thank God you OK! Yes, the way you tell it is very funny, but the situtation is anything but!! I'm amazed that no one know life saving techniques. The office manager should get someone in to teach it right away. The next person might not be as quick thinking as you.

And you all do know that you take an aspirin if you think you're having a heart attack, right?

OMG Mel, the visuals I got were scary and hillarious all at the same time... Sure glad you're ok though. DH almost choked once too when he was alone and his thought was "what a lonely way to die" poor guy. I also can't believe that no one knew the Heimlich... After this incident your company should have someone come in and train everyone...

!!! I'm glad you're okay, Mel! I have to be the one to ask a practical question though, in case I am ever choking. Did you fling your back at the filing cabinet, or your stomach? Was the cabinet at stomach height?

I've seen instructions on how to do the Heimlich a million times, but I've never tried it so I don't know if I would do it right or not.

Mel,

I just told your story to my boss and requested training for the office. I think it's a good idea.

Keep coming back to this. It bothers me quite a bit. This is something everyone should know. I am amazed that so many people don't know how.

There is a way to perform the procedure on yourself if you're alone. You make a fist and put it on your stomach, about belly button, and lean over a chair and thrust upward. Too simplified. You need someone to show you how to make sure you get it right. It could save your life.

And, what ever you do, don't get embarassed and go into the bathroom so "no one will see". My BIL almost choked to death that way. When we found him he was turning blue. If I hadn't been there he would probably have died, or at least gotten brain damage from lack of oxygen.

You've made such an effort to make sure you're healthy. Take the time to learn how to save your own, or someone elses life.

Hi Mel,

I'm so glad you are still with us! BIG HUGS and WAY TO GO for keeping your head in a bad situation! TEN MINUTES for EMTs?!? That is NOT GOOD.

Years ago when I worked in HR, a coworker's spouse had a heart attack. The person recovered, but we took the opportunity to provide CPR training to anyone who wanted it. A lot of companies will do this. Now it's time for a refresher course!

A CPR course only takes a little while, and EVERYONE should take a class at least once!

Mel, I'll be eating mindfully today!

Mel~I'm glad you were able to dislodge the pit yourself. Perhaps this is a good time for your company to offer some first aid classes! And like everyone said, the Snickers is not a good alternative!

My DH did this to me once. We were at a new restaurant and he ordered pot roast (which is usually quite tender) and he put a very large chunk of meat in his mouth. Obviously it was much too large and not too tender and he started to choke with me at his side in a booth and the kids across the table. As he was choking the waiter came up to see how our meal was. Just at that point, he was able to dislodge it himself and it landed back into his plate (how embarrassing!). The waiter, wide eyed, just turned and left. I, the whole time, was wondering how on earth I could get him out of the booth to do the Heimlich. Very scary!

Oh my. I read a magazine article long ago about a bride who died at her reception for this exact reason. I think she was on life support a short time and then her groom had to take her off. Too horrible for words.

Mel!!!!

I'm SO glad you're okay, dear heart! Only you are capable of lifting a small car overhead with one hand but manage to be downed by a peach pit! Your story was hysterical and I was totally especially with the chair on rollers! I'm appalled that no one knew how to do the Heimlich! I don't remember my training on how to do it with babies, but doing it to adults is easy-peasy. Doing it to yourself (as you've proved) is not...poor Mel!

I remember learning the international sign for choking when I was in elementary school and wondering if other people would know what it meant if I ever had to use it.

In other funny, need-to-be-mindful stories about eating, a friend of mine was once eating peanuts by popping a couple in his mouth from the handful he was holding. He is a fellow house rabbit "owner" and, as he walked past the living room, he saw a couple of rabbit poops on the floor (sometimes they mark an area with them...eschewing the litter box). He picked them up with his other hand. On his way to throw them out, he tossed some more peanuts in his mouth...and realized that they weren't peanuts. Yeah, I'm sure that was a fun moment! Anyways, at least it didn't lead to the need for a heimlich!

I totally concur with the person who said you should pass out a copy of "How to do a Heimlich" to everyone in your office. Oh, and maybe put up the big, horrific poster with the illustrations that was always in the lunchroom at my work.

Mel, I'm so glad you're ok!!!

This story makes me so glad that my office provides First Aid (including Heimlich) and CPR training. In theory, if I need help everyone in the building should be able to provide it, or I can try to help anyone else!

I need to remember to chew carefully myself sometimes.