A 54-year-old resident of St Leonards-on-Sea has described how her companion rescued her from a potentially fatal choking situation at a dining establishment in Devon.

Leslie Sinoway was having a meal at a pub restaurant in Totnes when a bone from fish became trapped in her windpipe, causing her to gasp for air.

Her acquaintance, Lucy Rhoades, responded promptly by delivering a series of sharp blows to the woman’s back, successfully removing the obstruction and preventing what could have been a fatal outcome.

Sinoway recounted that she had selected sea bass for her meal.

While engaged in conversation with her dining companions, she experienced a sudden sensation of something becoming lodged in her throat, followed by persistent coughing.

She stood up while continuing to cough, and her distress intensified as she grew increasingly frightened.

Rhoades observed her companion’s difficulty and rose to assist.

Sinoway indicated through gestures that she was not managing the situation.

Rhoades then administered a series of forceful back blows, which propelled a fish bone from the woman’s throat.

Sinoway said she genuinely believed her life was in danger and described the experience as terrifying, adding that Rhoades possesses the composure required to remain calm during emergencies.

Rhoades, who is 55 years old and also resides in Totnes, explained that she needed a few seconds to comprehend the gravity of what was unfolding.

The victim was unable to vocalise and was evidently experiencing severe breathing difficulties.

Rhoades leant the woman forward and delivered multiple back blows between the shoulder blades, which resulted in her coughing out the fish bone.

The incident coincides with a public health alert from St John Ambulance, which has highlighted that numerous fatalities from choking occur because those present during emergencies lack the necessary skills or assurance to provide assistance.

The organisation’s data suggests approximately 300 individuals die from choking-related incidents annually throughout England.

As part of an effort to increase understanding of basic emergency procedures, St John Ambulance has initiated its Save a Life September campaign.

Research commissioned by the charity revealed that less than half of adults in the United Kingdom possess adequate knowledge to handle a choking emergency safely.

Jordan Davison, community education partner at St John Ambulance, stated that choking incidents are frequently treated as insignificant, yet the outcomes can be extremely serious.

Many deaths occur simply because surrounding individuals have not acquired the expertise or self-assurance to take action.

The charitable organisation intends to provide instruction in emergency response techniques to half a million people through complimentary practical demonstrations and digital instructional materials.