Choking First Aid: Life-Saving Response

Choking requires immediate recognition and action. Airway obstruction prevents oxygen delivery to the brain; permanent brain damage occurs within minutes. Knowing first aid response saves lives .

Act immediately when someone is choking; calling for help comes after initial response.

Signs of severe choking include inability to speak or cry, weak cough or inability to cough, difficulty breathing or noisy breathing, and loss of consciousness. Mild choking shows effective coughing and ability to speak between coughs; let the person cough.

For conscious infants, alternate 5 back blows (between shoulder blades with heel of hand) with 5 chest thrusts (upward thrusts on sternum). Repeat cycles until object dislodges or infant becomes unconscious.

For conscious children, perform abdominal thrusts: stand behind child, wrap arms around waist, place one fist above navel, grasp fist with other hand, and thrust upward into abdomen. Continue until object is expelled or child becomes unconscious.

For conscious adults, perform abdominal thrusts similarly: stand behind person, wrap arms around waist, place fist just above navel, grasp with other hand, and perform quick upward thrusts. Continue until object is expelled or person becomes unconscious .

Cut food into appropriate sizes; avoid round, hard foods for children. Supervise eating; encourage thorough chewing. Avoid talking with mouths full. Keep choking hazards away from young children.