Basic First Aid for Choking
Created by Cheli
Step-by-step guide to assist a choking victim, including assessment, back blows, abdominal thrusts, and when to call emergency services.
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Checklist Items (23)
Assess the situation and determine if the person is choking
Look for the universal choking sign (hands clutching throat), ask if they can speak or breathe, and check their ability to cough effectively.
Look for universal choking sign
Victim may clutch their throat with one or both hands, indicating airway obstruction.
Ask if they can speak or breathe
If the person can answer, encourage coughing; if they cannot speak, assume severe blockage.
Check ability to cough
A strong cough can clear the obstruction; a weak or silent cough requires immediate intervention.
Encourage coughing if able
If the person is still able to cough, urge them to continue forcefully to expel the object.
Call emergency services if needed
When the person cannot speak, breathe, or cough effectively, summon professional help immediately.
Dial emergency number
Call 911 (or local emergency number) as soon as you recognize severe choking.
Call if coughing ineffective
If attempts to encourage coughing fail after a few seconds, get help on the line.
Provide details to dispatcher
Give your exact location, describe the victim's condition, and mention any first aid steps you've taken.
Perform back blows
Deliver firm blows between the shoulder blades to create vibration and pressure that may dislodge the object.
Position yourself correctly
Stand to the side and slightly behind the victim; support their chest with one hand.
Lean the victim forward
Bend them at the waist so the upper body is parallel to the ground, allowing gravity to assist.
Give up to 5 back blows
Using the heel of your hand, strike firmly between the shoulder blades; check after each blow.
Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
Apply quick upward thrusts to the abdomen to increase intrathoracic pressure and expel the obstruction.
Stand behind the victim
Wrap your arms around their waist; ensure you have a stable stance.
Position your fist
Make a fist with the thumb side against the abdomen, slightly above the navel and well below the breastbone.
Grasp fist and thrust
Hold your fist with the other hand and deliver quick, upward thrusts as if trying to lift the victim.
Repeat up to 5 times
After each thrust, check if the object is expelled; stop if successful or if the victim becomes unresponsive.
Alternate back blows and abdominal thrusts
Continue cycles of back blows and thrusts until the object is cleared, help arrives, or the victim loses consciousness.
Continue cycles
Perform 5 back blows followed by 5 abdominal thrusts, repeating as needed.
Reassess after each cycle
Check if the victim can speak, breathe, or cough; stop if the obstruction is cleared or they become unresponsive.
If the victim becomes unresponsive, start CPR
When the person loses consciousness, lower them to the ground and begin chest compressions while checking for the object.
Lower victim to ground
Carefully place the person on their back, supporting the head and neck.
Call for help if not already
Ensure emergency services have been contacted; send someone to call if you are alone.
Perform 30 chest compressions
Place heel of one hand on the center of the chest, other hand on top, lock elbows, and compress at least 2 inches deep at 100-120 per minute.
Open airway, look for object, give breaths
Tilt head back, lift chin, look in mouth for visible object; if seen, remove with finger sweep. Give 2 rescue breaths if trained, then resume compressions.
After the object is expelled, monitor and seek care
Even if the obstruction clears, the victim should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to ensure no injury remains.
Encourage medical evaluation
Advise the victim to see a doctor or visit an urgent care clinic to check for internal damage.
Monitor for lingering symptoms
Watch for difficulty breathing, persistent cough, chest pain, or bleeding; seek immediate care if any appear.
Keep victim calm and warm
Reassure the person, loosen tight clothing, and cover with a blanket to prevent shock while waiting for help.