Television doctor Amir Khan has received an outpouring of support after a viewer used his on-air first aid advice to save a woman's life in a restaurant.
Life-Saving Advice Broadcast on Live TV
The remarkable chain of events began on ITV's Loose Women, where Dr Khan demonstrated essential techniques for helping someone who is choking. During the segment, which aired recently, he meticulously explained the step-by-step procedure, covering back blows and abdominal thrusts – the latter commonly known as the Heimlich manoeuvre – and crucially advising when to call 999.
Shortly after the broadcast, the impact of this public health information became startlingly clear. Dr Khan took to Instagram to share a direct message he had received from a grateful viewer.
Viewer Springs into Action Using TV Tips
The message detailed how the viewer had witnessed a stranger begin to choke on a piece of steak while dining out. Remembering Dr Khan's clear instructions from the Loose Women segment, the viewer stepped in to help.
"Just a message to say thank you! I saw your bit on Loose Women about what to do when someone chokes," the message read. "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."
An astonished and delighted Dr Khan replied: "Oh my god - that's actually amazing! Brilliantly done by you." In a follow-up post, he praised the whole production team, writing: "Quite possibly one of the best messages I could receive and definitely for the whole @loosewomen team who put that segment together."
Public Reaction and Wider Safety Message
The story prompted a flood of positive responses from the doctor's followers and the public. One person commented, "Oh wow, love this," while another shared a personal connection: "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."
The incident underscores the vital importance of basic first aid knowledge. During his original demonstration, Dr Khan outlined the following key steps for helping a choking adult or child over one year old:
- Encourage them to cough if they are able.
- If ineffective, have them lean forward and deliver up to five firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
- If the obstruction remains, perform abdominal thrusts: make a fist, place it just above the navel, grasp it with your other hand, and pull sharply inwards and upwards up to five times.
- If the object is still not dislodged, call 999 immediately and continue alternating between five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until help arrives.
This real-life application of televised medical advice highlights how accessible public health broadcasting can have immediate, life-altering consequences, empowering ordinary people to act confidently in an emergency.
