Introduction:Iced milk tea is a popular choice for many to beat the heat in summer, but drinking it carelessly can lead to fatal consequences. A 16-year-old boy in Sichuan reportedly died after allegedly choking on a bubble tea, and footage of a Milk Tea brand drink at the scene went viral. How do the official response and the family’s account differ? This article outlines the full incident and explains the correct Heimlich maneuver, equipping you with life-saving skills.

On a hot summer day, a refreshing cup of bubble tea can be instantly invigorating, but the potential risks should not be overlooked. Recently in Ziyang, Sichuan, a 16-year-old boy reportedly died after a bubble tea allegedly blocked his airway. Online videos showed spilled milk tea from a Milk Tea chain, sparking widespread public concern. The brand quickly issued a statement, emphasizing there was no direct evidence linking their product to the incident. Later, the family came forward, explaining that hospital examinations found no foreign objects in the esophagus or airway, and the actual cause of death was cardiac arrest. This incident serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to know proper emergency procedures.

According to multiple online videos, the incident occurred outside a Milk Tea chain and a traditional Chinese pastry shop on West Yanjiang Government Road in Ziyang City. The footage shows a young man lying on the ground, with medical personnel and bystanders performing CPR, and a bubble tea cup bearing the Milk Tea brand’s logo spilled nearby.

Based on media reports, the incident happened around 10 a.m. on July 24. Officials from the local hospital revealed that when first responders arrived, the teenager had already shown no signs of life, and he was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital. Doctors preliminarily suspected that the boy may have choked on the bubble tea, which entered his airway by accident. He was only 16 years old.

After the incident gained public attention, the involved brand, Milk Tea, responded on July 25, stating that they had not received any complaints or reports from their outlets, and there was currently no evidence directly linking the incident to their brand’s milk tea. The brand further explained that if there were issues with the design of the bubble size, it should be addressed by the industry as a whole rather than being the responsibility of a single brand.

This response sparked heated discussion online, with many believing there might be more to the story and that the blame should not be hastily placed on the tea shop. On July 26, the deceased’s family spokesperson—his older brother, Mr. Li—clarified to the media that his brother had died of cardiac arrest, and hospital examinations confirmed there were no foreign objects in the esophagus or airway. He called on the public to stop speculation and the spread of unverified rumors.

This incident also made the "Heimlich maneuver" a hot topic. Medical experts pointed out that spherical foods like boba, although uniform in size, still pose a choking risk. Not just boba, but common foods like peanuts have also been known to cause choking in children. In mid-June, a 4-year-old boy in Beijing choked on a peanut and nearly lost his life, but was saved thanks to the quick actions of a passerby.

Professional doctors explained that choking is usually caused by distraction while eating, which prevents the epiglottis from closing in time, allowing food to enter the airway by mistake. The epiglottis is an important structure in the throat that opens during breathing and closes during swallowing. If coordination fails, it can easily lead to suffocation.

If a foreign object becomes lodged in the airway, immediately performing the Heimlich maneuver is critical. This technique uses rapid abdominal thrusts to create pressure that forces the object out. If the person is still conscious, they can also perform self-rescue by using the back of a chair or the edge of a table to apply pressure to their abdomen.

The following are the standard Heimlich maneuver steps for:Conscious adults:

1. The rescuer stands behind the patient and wraps their arms around the patient’s waist
2. One hand makes a fist, with the thumb side positioned against the abdomen, just above the navel and below the ribcage
3. The other hand covers the fist and applies quick inward and upward pressure
4. Continue repeating the motion until the object is expelled

Be mindful of the force and placement to avoid injuring ribs or internal organs. If the patient loses consciousness, immediately begin CPR and call for emergency assistance.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.