Choking is caused by a blockage in the throat that blocks the flow of air. Choking in adults is generally caused by food getting stuck in the windpipe. In children, choking usually occurs when a toy, coin, or other small object blocks the throat or respiratory tract. Choking can also occur as a result of traumatic injury, drinking alcohol, or swelling due to an allergic reaction. Without first aid, lack of airflow due to choking can cause serious brain damage or even death from asphyxiation (asphyxia). If you or someone else is choking, it's important to know how to get help.
Note: This article only covers adults and children over 1 year old. Check out the article How to Perform First Aid on a Choking Baby for children under 1 year old.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Helping Others
Step 1. Assess the situation
Make sure the person is choking and determine if the airway is partially or completely blocked. A choking victim should be allowed to cough to clear the blockage in the throat alone when experiencing mild choking, or partial airway obstruction.
- Signs of partial airway obstruction include the ability to speak, cry, cough, or respond to people around you. Victims of mild choking are usually pale and can still breathe, although they may feel a little short of breath.
- On the other hand, people with complete airway obstruction will not be able to speak, cry, cough, or breathe. In addition, the person will show a “choking sign” (both hands gripping the neck) and the lips and fingers may turn blue due to lack of oxygen.
Step 2. Ask the person, “Are you choking?
If the person suspected of choking can respond verbally, wait. A fully choking person will not be able to speak at all, but may nod or shake his head. It is very important not to hit the back of a person who has a partially blocked airway, as there is a risk that an object that was previously slightly wobbly will become lodged deeper and potentially cause complete obstruction. If the victim can respond:
- Make sure the victim is choking. Let them know that you are by their side and ready to help when needed.
- Instruct the choking victim to cough to remove the blockage. Don't use back blows.
- Continue to observe the situation and be prepared to assist if the victim's airway becomes completely blocked or the choking becomes serious.
Step 3. Perform first aid
If the victim is really choking or has a complete airway obstruction and is still conscious, inform the need for first aid. You should make sure that a conscious victim knows what to do; it will also give him a chance to tell you if help is really needed.
If you are the only person around who can help, perform the first aid described below before calling emergency services. If someone else is around, ask him or her for help
Step 4. Hit the victim in the back
Note that the following instructions are intended for victims who are sitting or standing.
- Stand behind the victim and slightly to one side. Stand on the victim's left if you are not left-handed, and on their right if you are left-handed.
- Support the victim's chest with one hand and bend his body forward so that the object that is blocking the respiratory tract will come out through the victim's mouth (as opposed to going deeper into the throat).
- Give a firm blow between the shoulder blades of the victim up to 5 times using the heel of the hand (the part between the palm and wrist). Pause after each stroke to see if the blockage has cleared. If not, switch to abdominal thrusts (see below).
Step 5. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
The Heimlich maneuver is an emergency technique only for adults or children over 1 year of age. Do not practice the Heimlich maneuver on a child under 1 year of age.
- Stand behind the choking victim.
- Wrap your arms around the victim's waist and lean forward.
- Make a fist and position it just above the victim's navel (centre), but below the breastbone.
- Place the other hand on top of the clenched hand, then push both of them backwards towards the victim's stomach in an up and up motion.
- Perform abdominal pressing action up to five times. Check after each push to see if the blockage has cleared. Stop this step if the victim loses consciousness.
Step 6. Change the Heimlich maneuver for pregnant women and people who are obese
Position your hands higher than described above in the usual Heimlich maneuver. Hands should be placed at the base of the sternum, above the point where the lower ribs connect. Press hard into the chest with firm pressure as described above. However, the same upward thrust as normal Heimlich maneuvers cannot be performed. Repeat until the victim has stopped choking, the blockage has cleared, or is unconscious.
Step 7. Make sure the object stuck in the throat is completely removed
Once the respiratory tract is opened, the object that caused the victim to choke may remain in the throat. If the victim is able, ask him to vomit and breathe without difficulty.
See if there is something still clogging the respiratory tract. If there is, take the object through the victim's mouth by sweeping your fingers. Only drop your fingers if you see an object that causes choking, otherwise the blockage will be pushed inward
Step 8. Check if normal breathing has returned
Most people will return to their normal breathing when the object that is stuck comes out of their throat. Continue to the next step if normal breathing does not return or the victim loses consciousness.
Step 9. Get help if the victim is unconscious
If the choking victim is unconscious, lie down on his back on the floor. Then, clear the victim's respiratory tract if possible. If you can see the blockage, brush it with your fingers and remove the object from your throat through your mouth. Don't swipe your finger if you don't see anything stuck. Be careful not to accidentally push the blockage deeper into the respiratory tract.
- If the object remains stuck and the victim doesn't regain consciousness or respond, check to see if he or she is still breathing. Bring the cheek to the victim's mouth. For 10 seconds: see if the victim's chest rises and falls, listens for breathing, and feels the victim's breath against the cheek.
- Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the victim is not breathing. The pressure on the chest used in CPR can also clear the blockage.
- Have someone call emergency services, or call emergency services alone and come back to help the victim if no one else is around. Alternate chest compressions, airway checks, and artificial respiration while waiting for help to arrive. Give 2 breaths after every 30 chest compressions. Remember to re-examine the victim's mouth repeatedly when performing CPR.
- There may be little resistance to chest pumping until the object obstructing the airway is removed.
Step 10. Consult a doctor
If the victim has a persistent cough, shortness of breath, or feels something stuck in his throat after choking, he should see a medical professional immediately.
Abdominal pressure can also cause bruising and internal injuries. If using this method or performing CPR on another person, the victim should be examined by a doctor afterward
Method 2 of 2: Helping Yourself
Step 1. Call emergency services
If you choke when you are alone, call 118 or the local emergency number immediately. Even if you can't speak, emergency services will generally still send help to check all incoming calls.
Step 2. Perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself
The Heimlich maneuver for yourself may not be as strong as it would be for someone else, but you can still try this step to get the object stuck in your throat out.
- Make a fist. Place it on the stomach, just above the navel.
- Hold the fist with the other hand.
- Lean over a chair, table, counter, or other solid object.
- Push your fists in and up as described previously.
- Repeat until the blockage clears or help arrives.
- Make sure the blockage is completely removed. Try spewing the blockage and all the rest.
Step 3. Consult a doctor
Visit a medical professional immediately if you have a persistent cough, shortness of breath, or feel something stuck in your throat.
