I have stopped someone from choking 5 times so far in my life. I am not in the medical field- I just get lucky enugh to be around right when it is happening.

1) 15 years old. Out in the middle of the woods, friend gorging himself on some stringy meat. Backblows didn't help. Heimlich didn't work. He went blue and passed out. I reached my hand down into his throat and pulled something loose, then did the heimlich enough for him to get air and cough. Later I cried.

2) 16 years old. As an exchange student in Germany- some Austrailian girl (she never called me by my name rather called me "Yank" all the time) choked on meat in some soup in a cafe. I jumped over the table and did the Heimllich. Later I cried.

3) 18(?) years old. Someone drunk in my dorm thought it would be funny to see how much of a pizza type bread product he could choke. Choke he did. Drunk people everywhere. I did the Heimlich. Later I cried.

4) 20(?) years old. Some restaurant in Tallahasee. Some guy chokes on something. I swear I thought it was a muffin but can't remember too well. He drops to the floor and I sort of manhandle him and do the Heimlich. Didn't cry.

5) 39 years old. Out in the desert at Burning Man. This time it was my older brother. Buffalo meat. Lots of foamy spittle and stuff. Heimlch again. He was happy. Everyone thought I was a hero (embarassing). My wife cried. I choked back my tears (yes I said that.)

Guidelines for what to do when someone is choking have changed. You can see the video on the right shows the new protocols. However, there is no substitute for good training. And while there are many organizations that teach first aid, choking, CPR etc., I am going to have to go with the American Red Cross. Their link is below.

Please think about if you are ready to do what it takes in an emergency and maybe take a class or two.