First Aid: Choking

Choking occurs when the airway to the lungs becomes blocked, placing the victim's life in danger. Start rescue techniques right away.

1. Identify Choking

• Look for a hand raised to the throat, an instinctive response to choking.

• Ask the victim if he or she is choking. If the person cannot speak, say that you will help.

• DON’T slap the victim on the back. This may force the object lower into the airway.

If you are alone and choking, perform thrusts on yourself, or thrust your abdomen against a chair back, sink edge, or railing.

2. Grasp from Behind

• Move behind the victim. Slide your palms under his or her arms, bringing your hands together in front of the victim's body.

• Make a fist with one hand, placing the flat surface of the thumb and first finger above the belt line.

• Note: If pregnancy or extreme overweight makes this impossible, give thrusts inward against the middle of the victim's breastbone.

3. Thrust In and Up

• Cover your fist with the other hand, keeping your elbows away from your body.

• Pull in and up quickly, using hard thrusts to force air from the victim's lungs. This pops out the blockage.

• Repeat thrusts until the victim coughs or speaks.