If the person is unresponsive, not breathing normally, or you are unsure — call your local emergency number NOW, before anything else.
Choking (Adult & Child)
Choking happens when food or another object blocks the airway. Act fast because a complete blockage can stop breathing within minutes.
Call emergency services immediately if…
- The person cannot breathe, speak, cry, or cough
- Their lips, face, or skin are turning blue or gray
- They become weak, collapse, or become unresponsive
- Choking does not clear quickly after back blows and abdominal thrusts
- You are alone with an unresponsive person after starting first aid
- 1
Call the local emergency number
If the person has severe choking, call for emergency help right away or tell someone nearby to call. If you are alone, use speakerphone if possible so you can start first aid without delay.
- 2
Check if it is severe choking
Ask, 'Are you choking?' If they can cough or speak, encourage them to keep coughing. If they cannot speak, cry, or breathe, treat it as severe choking.
- 3
Give back blows
Stand slightly behind the person and support their chest. Lean them forward so the object is more likely to come out, then give up to 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Check after each blow to see if the blockage clears.
- 4
Give abdominal thrusts
If back blows do not clear the airway, stand behind the person. Place a fist just above the belly button, grasp it with your other hand, and pull inward and upward with quick thrusts up to 5 times. For a pregnant person or someone you cannot get your arms around, give chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.
- 5
Repeat 5 and 5
Keep alternating 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts or chest thrusts until the object comes out, the person starts breathing, or they become unresponsive. If another bystander is present, have them take over if you get tired.
- 6
If the person becomes unresponsive
Lower them carefully to the ground and call the local emergency number if not already done. Start CPR beginning with chest compressions. Each time you open the airway to give breaths, look in the mouth and remove the object only if you can clearly see it.
- 7
Use an AED if available
If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, send someone to get an AED. Turn it on and follow the voice prompts while continuing CPR until help takes over.
Do NOT
- Do not slap the back of someone who is coughing well and able to breathe
- Do not put your fingers in the mouth unless you can clearly see the object
- Do not give food or drink until they are fully recovered
- Do not use abdominal thrusts on an infant under 1 year old
- Do not stop first aid too soon if severe choking continues
Afterwards
Even if the object comes out and the person seems better, they should be checked by a medical professional, especially after abdominal or chest thrusts. Call for help again if coughing, trouble breathing, chest pain, or throat pain continues.
Sources
- [1]Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Ready Reference — American Red Cross
- [2]First aid - Choking in adults — NHS
- [3]Basic Life Support — European Resuscitation Council
Printed from HealthPulse.cc — first-aid education only, not a substitute for training or professional emergency care. Always call your local emergency number first.
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