I had this happen twice. First time at the movies. Scariest feeling ever. No one knows what to do. I laid my head on my husband's chest and thought well... this is it. I'm good to die. After nearly a minute I calmed myself enough to cough several times and it worked! Definitely helped me know what to do when it happened while driving down the road. I panic so much that it never occurred to me to breathe from my nose. I figured if I can't breathe through my mouth then I can't get air at all?? It's like the plug for a sink drain.. nothing is getting through. Each time it was saliva going down wrong. So glad to know it won't kill you! Remember.. straw breathing, relaxing and coughing. They definitely help!