Mom panicked as she choked while driving alone with her toddler — then she remembered her respiratory therapist mom’s life-saving words
They say mothers always know best, and sometimes that wisdom can save your life. A mother to a toddler, Amanda Woodbury, got caught in a similar emergency while driving with her child. What helped her was her own mother’s advice, which averted a potential tragedy. Sharing the incident on Instagram, Woodbury (@amandabwoodbury) explained that she choked while driving on a busy road with her toddler in the car, unable to pull over. That’s when she remembered her respiratory therapist mother, Tanya Hamner Blanton's technique. The video has garnered over 1.5 million views and 78,000 likes.
In the clip, Woodbury explained that she had just choked in her car while driving on a crowded street and had no immediate way to stop. “It was the scariest thing of my life,” she shared. She further explained that panic quickly set in, but she somehow managed to stay conscious. Remembering her mother’s lesson, which she had shared years ago, Woodbury said, “My mom is a respiratory therapist, and she taught me that if ever I was choking by myself and I couldn't get anyone to help me, this is what you do.”
The technique involved taking a deep inhale through the nose, according to the video, followed by a forceful cough. Woodbury shared that repeating this process helped her dislodge what was stuck. “I'm so glad that I had that because I was seriously driving and I'm like that,” she said, describing the whole situation as “super dramatic.” At the end of the clip, she said, “So, if you're ever choking, take this as that's what you need to do next time.”
Choking is medically referred to as "foreign-body airway obstruction." According to a study found in the National Library of Medicine, when a foreign object blocks the airway, partially or completely preventing air from reaching the lungs, it causes sudden choking. It can happen with food or non-food objects. It can be dangerous as it might cause accidental injury or death, especially to children and the elderly. The study suggested that because it obstructs the normal airflow, it can trigger forceful coughing or gagging as the body’s reflex to clear the blockage, and without swift intervention, it can lead to loss of consciousness or death.
The video has since drawn widespread attention, with many viewers sharing their own experiences and opinions in the comment section. @hunters.momma recounted that she choked on the bread of a McMuffin while driving with her toddler son, adding, “It was lodged in my throat! I was terrified! I started coughing and slamming my upper chest repeatedly, and it flew out of my mouth onto my dashboard! I started crying hysterically!” @stacy.lein revealed her own technique, “If you're [sic] choking, you can get down on your knees. Put your hands behind your back and throw your chest into the ground.” “Wow, I am so thankful you are okay, and thank you so much for sharing this life-saving tip,” mentioned @siena.cmusic.
You can follow @amandabwoodbury on Instagram for more content.