Choking First Aid in Restaurants: How Quick Action Can Save Lives

Understanding Choking Emergencies

Choking happens when food or another object blocks the airway, making it difficult or impossible to breathe. It can develop quickly and may become life-threatening if not addressed right away.

Knowing how to respond—especially using techniques like back blows and abdominal thrusts can help clear the airway and restore breathing.

First Aid & Workplace Relevance in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland

Across Abbotsford, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, and the Lower Mainland, choking incidents commonly occur in restaurants, cafés, and workplace lunch areas.

Staff working in food service and hospitality are often the first to respond. This highlights the importance of first aid training for employees, as quick action can make a critical difference.

Real Incident Overview

Rachel Brien was dining at Ricky’s Country Restaurant on Marshall Road in Abbotsford with her 20-year-old son when a routine meal turned into an emergency.

While eating toast, she suddenly began to choke and could not breathe. As the situation escalated, her son called out for help. Brien stood up from her booth, attempting to get attention as she struggled to breathe and felt close to losing consciousness.

Her server, Jordan Ketting-Olivier, quickly stepped in. He identified himself as someone with first aid training and first asked if she could cough. When it became clear she could not, he attempted back blows, but the obstruction remained.

Recognizing the urgency, he performed abdominal thrusts. The action successfully dislodged the food, allowing Brien to breathe again.

Brien later reflected that without the quick response, the outcome could have been very different.

Olivier, who had been working at the restaurant for nearly eight years, had experienced a similar incident months earlier. Notably, he had renewed his first aid certification just the day before the event, reinforcing the value of up-to-date training.

Signs and Symptoms of Choking

A person who is choking may:

• Be unable to speak or breathe

• Make little or no sound

• Clutch their throat

• Show visible distress or panic

• Become weak or lose consciousness in severe cases

Quick recognition allows for faster intervention.

Common Causes of Choking

Choking may occur due to:

• Food not fully chewed

• Eating too quickly

• Talking or laughing while eating

• Dry or dense foods (such as bread)

These situations can happen in everyday dining environments.

First Aid Response for Choking

If someone appears to be choking:

1. Ask if they can cough or speak

2. Encourage coughing if possible

3. If they cannot breathe, call 911 immediately

4. Provide back blows

5. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich manoeuvre) if needed

6. Continue until the object is cleared or help arrives

7. If the person becomes unresponsive, begin CPR

Prompt and confident action is key.

Prevention and Workplace Safety Considerations

To reduce choking risks:

• Encourage slow, mindful eating

• Cut food into manageable pieces

• Avoid talking while chewing

• Train staff in first aid and emergency response

• Maintain awareness in dining environments

Preparedness helps improve safety in public and workplace settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first if someone is choking?
Ask if they can cough or speak and encourage coughing if possible.

When are abdominal thrusts needed?
When the person cannot breathe, cough, or speak effectively.

Can choking happen quickly?
Yes. It can occur suddenly and escalate within seconds.

Why is first aid training important for restaurant staff?
They are often the first to respond during dining-related emergencies.

What foods commonly cause choking?
Dry or poorly chewed foods, such as bread or meat, are common causes.

Educational Note

This article is intended for general first aid awareness and workplace safety education in Canada. First aid training can help individuals respond effectively in everyday emergencies.

About The Author

Mark Kascha

First Aid Instructor Trainer with 30+ years of experience in CPR, emergency response, and safety training across Canada.

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Last reviewed: March 2026