2025 Schedule
- Jan. 27 at BCC, 10 – 11 a.m.
- Feb. 24 at Berkshire South Regional Community Center, 10 – 11 a.m.
- March 24 at Freight Yard Pub, 10 – 11 a.m.
Local businesses, such as restaurants that are required to have Choke Safe certified individuals on site, are encouraged to participate.
BCC is committed to providing universal access to all our events. Please contact jhoffman@berkshirecc.edu or call 413-236-2122 to request disability accommodations.
BCC began holding a series of Choke Saver classes in December 2022. Since then, more than 120 people have been certified, including employees of several restaurants in the Berkshires.
Choking is a silent killer, and seconds count. It can happen to anyone, at any time, and can be a scary experience — both for the victim and for the people around them. That's why it's so important to know how to respond to a choking emergency. Choke Saver can teach you the skills you need to help someone who is choking, which can make a big difference in the outcome of the situation. By taking a Choke Saver course at BCC, you are helping to make the world a safer place.
Massachusetts law requires at least one employee to be trained in Approved Manual Choke Saving Procedures, which include the Heimlich Maneuver and Sequence of Obstructed Airway Maneuvers, for all food service establishments with 25 seats or more on-premises when food is being served.