Television doctor Amir Khan has been flooded with praise and support after his on-air medical advice directly led to a life being saved in a public restaurant.
A Viewer's Quick Action Saves the Day
The remarkable chain of events began after Dr Khan appeared on ITV's daytime programme Loose Women on Tuesday, 30 December 2025. During his segment, he provided a clear, step-by-step demonstration of the correct procedure to help someone who is choking.
Shortly after the broadcast, Dr Khan took to Instagram to share an extraordinary message he had received from a viewer. The message revealed that the viewer had just used the techniques shown on TV to assist a woman who had begun choking on a piece of steak while dining out.
The viewer wrote: "Just a message to say thank you! I saw your bit on Loose Women about what to do when someone chokes. Today, a stranger in a restaurant choked on her steak and I was able to help her because of what you demonstrated. Gave me the confidence to know what to do. She is fine and very grateful. Thank you for making me aware."
Doctor's Emotional Response and Key First Aid Steps
An evidently moved Dr Khan responded to the message, calling it "actually amazing" and praising the viewer's actions. In his post, he extended credit to the entire Loose Women team for airing the vital segment.
During the original broadcast, Dr Khan meticulously outlined the life-saving protocol for adults and children over one year old:
- Encourage coughing: If the person is coughing, encourage them to continue.
- Deliver back blows: If coughing fails, have them lean forward. Using the heel of your hand, deliver up to five firm blows between the shoulder blades.
- Perform abdominal thrusts: If the obstruction remains, perform the Heimlich manoeuvre. Place a fist above the navel, grab it with your other hand, and pull sharply inwards and upwards up to five times.
- Call 999: If the blockage does not dislodge, call for emergency help immediately and continue alternating between five back blows and five abdominal thrusts.
Public Reaction and Personal Stories
The news prompted an outpouring of positive reactions from Dr Khan's followers and the public. Many expressed their admiration, with one person commenting, "Oh wow, love this," while another noted they had watched the segment to be prepared while caring for a young child.
The incident also spurred others to share their own experiences with choking emergencies. One follower recounted: "I've been careful with steak ever since I choked on one 10 years ago and needed first aid. Very scary experience and so grateful for the help of another."
This real-life application of televised medical guidance highlights the profound impact public health information can have. It underscores the importance of basic first aid knowledge, giving ordinary people the confidence to act decisively in a crisis, ultimately proving that such broadcasts can have consequences far beyond the studio.
