Excerpt from The Official Residents’ Guide to Moon Base Alpha, “Appendix A: Potential Health and Safety Hazards,” © 2040 by National Aeronautics and Space Administration

FOOD

Surprisingly, choking is the fifth most common cause of death in the United States (approximately 2,500 people per year). And eating at MBA might be even more dangerous. Since the food on the moon is by necessity dehydrated, it is a bit thicker and harder to swallow than most earth food, even after the rehydrating process.^I Thus, it may be somewhat easier to choke on than earth food. Please take extreme caution when chewing, try not to consume too much at one time, and if at all possible, avoid doing other activities while eating, such as exercising, running, or even talking.

Should choking incidents still result, it is imperative that all lunarnauts—no matter what age—be familiar with the Heimlich maneuver and its variations so that everyone can be prepared to dislodge partially masticated food from the windpipes of other people—and themselves. Please consult “Appendix B: First Aid and Safety Procedures” for this information.

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I. But still delicious and nutritious!