If you are completely alone and experiencing a severe choking emergency (unable to breathe, speak, or cough), every second counts. You can perform a **Self-Heimlich Maneuver** using one of two fast methods to force trapped air out of your lungs and dislodge the object:
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### Method 1: The Hand-Fist Thrust
1. **Make a fist** with one hand and place it right **above your navel (belly button)**, well below your ribcage.
2. **Grasp your fist** tightly with your other hand.
3. **Press inward and upward** into your abdomen with a sharp, forceful thrust—as if you are trying to lift yourself up.
### Method 2: The Chair/Edge Lean (Often Faster and Stronger)
1. Find a firm, stable object at waist height—such as the back of a chair, a table edge, or a countertop.
2. Lean heavily over the edge so that it presses firmly right **into the area between your navel and your ribcage**.
3. **Shove your upper abdomen downward and upward** against the edge with all your force to use the pressure to pop the object out.
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> **Important Note:** Repeat these thrusts rapidly until the object is expelled or until you can breathe. If you have a phone nearby, try to dial emergency services (like 911) and leave the phone on speaker while you act.
Are you or someone near you currently experiencing a choking emergency? If so, please call your local emergency number immediately.
