 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I had a pretty scary moment at the weekend over family dinner. Swallowed a bit of lamb that hadn't been properly chewed and started to choke. Managed to get the food out almost straight away as I could reach the end of it, but for some reason the throat went into some sort of spasm and I still couldn't breathe
Kids looked ****in terrified and all I could think of was getting away from them so I didn't die in front of them....not a nice thought I can tell you.
After a few minutes things calmed down enough for me to take a breathe but it was very very scary. Took longer to be able to talk again to reassure people. It was almost like my whole throat had closed and the muscles stopped working, so I couldn't breath, talk or swallow
So I have been looking at what the hell it was and if there was anything that could stop it if it happened again.  I've seen a few things online that are marketed at helping when choking, do these work, or are they just a gimmick?
Example:
Choking Emergency Device for Adult and Children (femvity.com)
Seen some articles saying 'insufficient evidence'
Also, given that in my casethe blockage was removed quick and it carried on, I imagine even these devices wouldn't work. What could have been done?
Don't know about choking devices, but getting you and your family on a first aid course is a good idea. Just had a refresh course myself.
I've choked a few times, once seconds from being fatal (passed out as the ambulance arrived), and it's not a nice feeling at all. I get it because the first time damaged the valve that controls the flow to the lungs and stomach so stuff hangs up on it if I'm not careful about my chewing and having my neck straight when swallowing.
The spasm continuing after the food was removed is just a reflex action, if it didn't realize the blockage was gone it will continue for a bit. Just try and stay calm, attempt to breathe properly and it'll sort itself out. Remember you have a good 2 minutes before you will black out due to lack of oxygen as long as you stay calm, thrashing about or moving around lessens that time dramatically. If you can try and lean forward while breathing out what you can, that helps dislodge things in my experience. I can't see how any of the gizmos available would help bar something that reaches down and clears the blockage.
I'm not an expert, but as there was no blockage I'd guess that your windpipe hadn't relaxed because you were panicing, so if that had continued you'd pass out and then the muscles would relax letting you breath again.
IANHH (I am not Henry Heimlich)
Some sober reading: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7793855/#:~:text=DeChoker%20is%20an%20Airway%20Clearance,use%20in%20a%20choking%20emergency.
They are medical devices regulated by the MHRA and FDA in the US. They are registered not approved because conducting formal trials in such an emergency setting might be problematic - hence the statement on "insufficient evidence". FDA served DeChoker with a warning regarding Good Manufacturing Process in 2021, one presumes this has been dealt with my now. Also a warning against use in children was issued https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/feb/06/warning-over-use-of-anti-choking-suction-devices-on-children
Their primary intended use is in an elderly healthcare setting. When my son choked on some lego he was small enough to remove with blows to the back over my knee. Knowledge rather than device is probably a better strategy.
That link was useful, quick scan read, study at the end seems to suggest the device does work rather than a gimick
The device successfully removed the obstruction in 26 of the 27 cases
Re first aid training - Wife and I do know what to do, maybe could do with a refresher, last time we did a course it was baby focused. Kids are young just turned 6 and 8. Possibly 8 year is getting to the age where it would be helpful
I was close to passing out, so given the blockage had been removed and it was a reflex / panic I'd have hoped if I did then my breathing would have started again.
Will be making a point of cutting things up smaller from now on!!!!
Worth noting that the deChoker TiRed posted about and the femvity product are not identicial. There's no mention on the femvity website of its regulatory status but it is is clearly a medical device and should be registered the the MHRA (and CE/UKCA marked) if selling the UK. I notice the paper describes its use with a protocol where it is intended only after abdominal thrusts (and back slaps) have failed, but the femvity website makes no reference to where in the process it should be deployed and even says you can DIY. The limited data available on the deChoker is actually pretty positive. I don't think I could be convinced that its essential equipment for every home. Teaching your children first aid, or even how to dial 999 is probably a better way.
Larger study of both devices here https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8998090/
It is notable that conventional techniques could not be followed in a significant proportion of the elderly who may be frail and in a chair. And an n=1 cadaver study that shows no effect in removal https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10278115/
Glad you are ok after the scare - one point to note if you are, or notice others choking. It's normal to try to move away deal with it away from others/ not distress others - this is a real bad idea as people have been found who choked and did this but as were out of sight nobody could/ did assist or if collapse, in toilet for example, can block access for potential rescuers.
Knowledge rather than device is probably a better strategy.
I've a friend* who needed full Heimlich thrusts - and would agree with this advice.
.
.
.
.
This was on 4th date with a girl who invited him to Sunday lunch in a pub with her parents...They're still married 25 years later, but the in-laws do like to remind him of 'the' incident... 😜
Go and see a GP.
I had some food get stuck in a similar way and it was not fun.
I had an endoscopy and it showed I had scar tissue from an undiagnosed Hiatus Hernia that was partially blocking the Oesophagus. Medication has prevented a reoccurrence.