First Aid Guide for Illness & Emergencies

First Aid Guide for Illness & Emergencies

Choking

SERIOUS EMERGENCIES
Call 911 immediately!

Diagram 5: Five back blows between the shoulder blades.
Diagram 5: Five back blows between the shoulder blades.
Diagram 6: Rescuer places hand over fist, 5 thrusts above the belly button.
Diagram 6: Rescuer places hand over fist, 5 thrusts above the belly button.
Diagram 7: Five back blows with heel of hand, between shoulder blades.
Diagram 7: Five back blows with heel of hand, between shoulder blades.
Diagram 8: Five chest thrusts, 2 fingers, just below the nipple line.
Diagram 8: Five chest thrusts, 2 fingers, just below the nipple line.

Choking in Adults and Children

  • Give 5 back blows. Bend the person forward at the waist and give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of one hand. (Diagram 5)
  • Give 5 abdominal thrusts. (Diagram 6)
    • Place a fist with the thumb side against the middle of the person’s abdomen, just above the belly button.
    • Cover your fist with your other hand.
    • Give 5 quick, upward abdominal thrusts.
  • Continue sets of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the:
    • Object is forced out.
    • Person can cough forcefully or breathe.
    • Person becomes unconscious.
  • If the person becomes unconscious, call 911. Carefully lower the person to the ground and begin CPR, starting with compressions. (See CPR.)

Choking in Infants

  • Give 5 back blows. Place the infant facing down. Give firm back blows with the heel of one hand between the infant’s shoulder blades. (Diagram 7)
  • Give 5 chest thrusts. Place two or three fingers in the center of the infant’s chest just below the nipple line and compress the breastbone about 1½ inches. (Diagram 8)
  • Continue sets of 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the:
    • Object is forced out.
    • Infant can cough forcefully, cry, or breathe.
    • Infant becomes unconscious.
  • If the infant becomes unconscious, call 911. Carefully place the infant on a firm, flat surface, and begin CPR, starting with compressions. (See CPR.)