Turkish emergency worker saves himself from choking using self-Heimlich maneuver

Ilyas Yildir, an emergency call center employee in Osmaniye, Turkey, saved his own life after choking on food while eating alone. Security footage broadcast by TRT World on February 10, 2026, shows Yildir realizing he is choking and moving toward a leather chair. He utilized the back of the chair to perform a self-administered Heimlich maneuver by pressing his chest against the furniture. The repetitive pressure successfully dislodged the food stuck in his throat. Speaking to haberler.com after the incident, Yildir emphasized the importance of knowing first aid techniques. He noted that any stable piece of furniture can be used to perform the maneuver when alone. The video of the incident has circulated widely on social media as an example of life-saving first aid. No other injuries were reported following the event.