49-year-old man dies from choking on idlis during Onam celebrations: Here’s how bystanders can help in such cases

Onam, a 10-day cultural festival celebrated by the Malayali community, took an unfortunate turn for a 49-year-old man who died after choking on idlis during an eating competition in Kerala’s Palakkad. According to a PTI report, while onlookers tried to save him by taking out the idli, he “died soon after” even as he was taken to a nearby hospital.

“The deceased choked on the idli while taking part in the competition, and the onlookers tried to save him and somehow took out the idli,” PTI quoted the police as saying.

Taking a cue, let’s understand the odds of choking on idlis, and what can be done to ensure it doesn’t turn fatal.

“These days, people tend to eat their food while watching their favourite TV shows, which can cause distraction. This can further lead to not chewing their food properly, resulting in choking,” said Dr Samir Garde, director, dept of pulmonology and lung transplant, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel.

However, the texture of idli also plays a crucial role, said Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha, pulmonologist, Fortis Escorts Faridabad, adding that since idli is solid, if not chewed properly, people can choke on it — which can be fatal.

According to Dr Garde, idlis are generally dense, making them dry, especially if they are not fresh or frozen. “This unique texture can make them hard to chew and swallow. Taking a larger bite than you can usually eat can significantly increase the risk of choking or vomiting. Since bigger chunks of idlis may struggle to pass through the throat easily, eating such dry and dense foods with chutneys can be helpful,” said Dr Garde.

Here’s what to note (representative image) (Source: Freepik)

Choking can become fatal or a serious complication when the airways get completely blocked, leading to a delayed supply of oxygen to the lungs, noted Dr Garde. “If not treated promptly, it can lead to asphyxiation, brain damage, or even death. If someone is choking before you, performing the Heimlich maneuver can save their life,” said Dr Garde.

Agreed Dr Jha and shared that a bystander must immediately start the Heimlich maneuver to prevent death. “Heimlich maneuver entails chest compression from the back to remove the aspirated particle,” said Dr Jha.

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