Choking
Important!
 | If you suspect that an object is caught in a victim's
throat and he cannot cough, breathe, speak or cry, call
911 or tell someone nearby to do so. Then begin first aid
for choking.
| If you are the victim, see Self-Care
for Choking.
| If the victim is an infant (up to 1 year old), see Aid
for a Choking Infant.
| If you suspect that an object is caught in a victim's
throat but he is able to cough, breathe, talk or
cry, do not intervene. But be prepared to act if the
situation worsens. |
| | |
Caution
Do you suspect a head,
neck or back injury?
First Aid
- Do not try to retrieve an object lodged in the
victim's throat. This might force the object farther
down the airway.
- Give abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver).
Continue giving abdominal thrusts until the object is
dislodged or until the victim loses consciousness.
CAUTION: If the victim is pregnant or obese, for the
Heimlich maneuver place your fist on the middle of the
victim's breastbone; do not place your hands on the ribs
or on the lower edge of the breastbone.
Illustration: Heimlich
Maneuver
- If the victim loses consciousness, lay him flat on
his back. Dislodge the object according to the
instructions for an unconscious
choking adult.
- Sweep the victim's mouth. CAUTION: Remember, do
not try to retrieve an object lodged in the victim's
throat.
- Open the victim's airway. Gently tilt back the
victim's head and lift the chin.
- Look, listen and feel for breathing. Be sure to
put your ear to the victim's mouth; chest movement alone
might not mean breathing. If the victim is breathing, give
first aid for loss
of consciousness.
- Breathe twice into the victim's mouth. Watch for
the victim's chest to rise with each breath; let the chest
fall before you give the next breath. If the victim's
chest does not rise with each breath, gently tilt the head
farther back and try again to give two slow breaths.
- If the victim's chest still does not rise, give five
abdominal thrusts. CAUTION: Do not press to either
side as you thrust.
- Sweep the victim's mouth again, make sure the airway
is open and breathe twice into the victim's mouth.
- If the victim's chest still does not rise, give
abdominal thrusts, sweep the mouth and give breaths.
Give five abdominal thrusts. Sweep the victim's mouth, and
give two slow breaths. Repeat this sequence of abdominal
thrusts, sweeps of the mouth and slow breaths until the
object is dislodged or until medical help arrives.
- If the object is dislodged but the victim is not
breathing, begin CPR.
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