Restaurant Emergency Basics
For the whole team — front and back of house.
Choking
Can't cough, talk, or breathe? 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades, then 5 abdominal thrusts just above the belly button. Keep going 5 and 5 until it clears, and call 911.
Severe allergic reaction
Trouble breathing; throat or tongue swelling; faintness or shock; or rapidly developing symptoms in more than one body system after eating? Suspect anaphylaxis, help them use their own epinephrine auto-injector in the outer thigh, follow its instructions, and call 911 immediately. Anaphylaxis can occur without hives.
Call 911 the right way
Tell them where you are (address + cross-street), what happened, and what you're doing. Put it on speaker and stay on the line.
A calm crew that knows these three moves keeps a bad night from becoming a tragedy.