I have received similar counsel.

In the real world: how many times have you and 100 other people sat in a movie theater waiting for the movie to start ten minutes past the listed time. Everyone is thinking, "Someone will go tell them." or "They'll be here in a minute to get it going."

Gee, if someone is choking in a restaurant, almost everyone will be looking at the person choking or looking away as not acknowledging the situation absolves them of having to be involved. "Someone who works here will call." "Someone here will help the choker."

Now if someone does the Heimlich maneuver they could potentially be sued by the choker for breaking their rib, throwing their back out or getting a steak sauce stain on their cashmere sweater.