Life-Saving Steps When Every Second Counts

Choking Emergency Guide

IMPORTANT
This guide provides basic emergency information only. Always call emergency services immediately for serious choking incidents. Consider taking a certified first aid course for proper hands-on training.

Step 1: Assess The Situation

Signs of Choking:

  • Mild Choking: Person can cough, speak, or breathe
  • Severe Choking: Person cannot cough, speak, breathe, or make sounds
  • Universal Choking Sign: Hands clutched to throat

Immediate Response:

If they CAN cough, speak, or breathe:

  • Encourage them to keep coughing
  • Stay with them and monitor closely
  • DO NOT pat their back or interfere
  • Call emergency services if condition worsens

If they CANNOT cough, speak, or breathe:

  • This is a medical emergency
  • Call emergency services immediately
  • Begin emergency procedures below

Step 2: Emergency Procedures

For Adults & Children (Over 1 Year)

The Heimlich Maneuver (Abdominal Thrusts):

  • Position:
    • Stand directly behind the person
    • Wrap your arms around their waist
    • Position them slightly forward
  • Hand Placement:
    • Make a fist with your dominant hand
    • Place the thumb side just above their navel, below the ribcage
    • Grasp your fist with your other hand
  • Technique:
    • Press hard into the abdomen with quick, sharp upward thrusts
    • Each thrust should be separate and distinct
    • Continue until object is expelled or person becomes unconscious
    • Count your thrusts – typically 5-10 may be needed

If Person Becomes Unconscious:

  • Lower them to the ground carefully
  • Call emergency services if not already done
  • Begin CPR if trained
  • Check mouth for visible objects (remove only if clearly visible)

For Infants (Under 1 Year)

⚠️ NEVER use abdominal thrusts on babies

Back Slaps & Chest Thrusts Method:

  • Back Slaps:
    • Hold baby face-down on your forearm
    • Support their head and neck with your hand
    • Keep their head lower than their chest
    • Give up to 5 firm back slaps with heel of your hand between shoulder blades
  • Chest Thrusts:
    • Turn baby face-up on your forearm
    • Support head and neck
    • Place 2 fingers on center of chest, just below nipple line
    • Give up to 5 quick downward chest thrusts

Continue alternating back slaps and chest thrusts until object is expelled or baby becomes unconscious.

Call for Help

Worldwide Call Emergency Services

When calling emergency services, provide:

  • Your exact location
  • “Someone is choking and cannot breathe”
  • Age of the person
  • Whether they are conscious
  • What steps you’ve already taken