Conscious Choking

  • Ask, “Are you choking?
  • If a person is unable to cough, breath or speak, Activate EMS

Adult and Child

For severe choking in adults and children:

  • Stand behind the person, placing one foot between their feet for stability.
  • Support their chest and lean them forward so the object can come out.
  • Deliver 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.

    Then:

    • Place the thumb side of your fist just above the navel, below the ribs.
    • Grasp your fist with your other hand.
    • Deliver 5 quick inward and upward abdominal thrusts.
  • Repeat cycles of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until:
    • The object is expelled, or
    • The person becomes unresponsive

Infant

  • Support the infant’s face and place body on your forearm.
  • Keep the infant’s head lower than the feet.
  • Administer 5 back blows between the shoulder blades with the palm of your hand.
  • Support the infant’s head. Turn the baby over onto your other forearm. Give 5 chest thrusts.
  • Continue back blows and chest thrusts until object comes out or infant becomes unconscious.

Special Circumstances

  • If the patient is pregnant or you cannot encircle the abdomen, perform 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.
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