Letter: Eating contests appear dangerous

Please allow me to add my comments to those already made by the letter writer in "Gluttony in bad taste" [Sept. 22]. I am a retired nurse anesthetist, with 30 years of experience in operating and emergency rooms. Whenever I happen to see on TV this "repulsive sport," I am appalled.

The cramming of food into their mouths! The gagging! The coughing! Makes me very nervous. This is an accident waiting to happen. Some day, there will be a horrible occurrence. If a piece of food becomes lodged in the trachea, breathing will not be possible. Perhaps there is a competent medical team standing by -- I don't know.

One contestant was honored on a morning TV show -- like a hero!

Joan M. Kennedy, Sayville