Why too many people are choking to death - and what you can do about it

Too many people are choking to death because bystanders don't know how to intervene, experts have warned.

St John Ambulance is looking to raise awareness of two potentially life-saving skills everyone should seek to learn: back blows and abdominal thrusts.

The charity said around 300 people die in England every year due to a choking incident, but that number could be reduced with more public knowledge of how to help.

'I was becoming more and more scared'

One woman described how her best friend saved her life after she choked on a fish bone in a pub in Totnes, Devon.

Leslie Sinoway, 54, from St Leonards-on-Sea in East Sussex, said she thought she was going to die when the bone became lodged in her throat.

Her friend Lucy Rhoades recognised something was wrong and delivered back blows, dislodging the bone.

Ms Sinoway recalled: "I got up and kept coughing, becoming more and more scared. Lucy noticed and got up. She asked me if I was OK, and I gestured that I wasn't. That's when she started giving me firm back blows.

"A fish bone flew out. I genuinely thought I was going to die. It was horrible."

The 'Mrs Doubtfire' effect

Marine engineer Calum Glen, from Walthamstow, was enjoying dinner with his family when he noticed a woman at a neighbouring table choking.

Following first aid training at work, the 31-year-old gave her five back blows before moving on to abdominal thrusts.

A piece of steak flew from her mouth, and she stopped choking.

Mr Glen said: "One of the biggest lessons that stayed with me was that people often forget to start with back blows before moving on to abdominal thrusts – thanks to Mrs Doubtfire.

"I gave her five firm back blows using the heel of my hand between her shoulder blades. When the back blows didn't dislodge the obstruction, I moved on to abdominal thrusts."

"Everyone should have first aid training," he added. "I hope I never have to use those skills again, but you never know when someone's life could depend on you knowing what to do."

St John Ambulance has launched a campaign to promote its free demonstrations and online guidance.

The charity said it will be deploying volunteers across the country to teach people how they can learn skills that "could help them save a loved one, friend, colleague, or even a stranger".

(c) Sky News 2026: Why too many people are choking to death - and what you can do about it