How To

First Aid for Choking (Adult or Child)

Steps to follow:

1. Encourage relaxation
2. Call for help
3. Assist the patient clear their airway.

1. Encourage Relaxation.

Talk to the patient and tell them to take slow, deep breaths. Encourage them to relax and cough to dislodge any foreign object in their airway.

2. If unsuccessful, call for help.

Do not delay calling for medical help if the patient cannot immediately clear their airway by themselves.

3. Assist the patient to clear their airway.

Attempt back blows:

Bend the patient forward from their torso up. Using the palm of your hand, between the patient's shoulder blades, strike the patient firmly up to five times. Check between each strike if the foreign object has been dislodged.

If unsuccessful, attempt chest thrusts:

Place the palm of one hand in the centre of the patients back. Place the other palm of your hand in the centre of the patients front chest- in the CPR position. Thrust them forward firmly, but slower then you would administer chest compressions. Check between each thrust to see if the foreign object has been dislodged.

Alternate between back blows and chest thrusts until the object has been dislodged or medical help arrives.

If the patient loses consciousness, attempt resuscitation.

If you are able to dislodge the obstruction causing the choke, calm and reassure the patient and seek medical help.