When Choking

If you or someone near you is choking, the most important thing is to act quickly and calmly. Here’s a clear breakdown of what can be done depending on the situation:

If Someone Else is Choking

1. Encourage Coughing
   • If they can still breathe, speak, or cough, encourage them to keep coughing to try to clear the blockage.
   • How to help someone choking | First Aid | iHASCO    shows how to recognize mild vs. severe choking and what to do in each case.

2. Back Blows and Abdominal Thrusts
   • If they cannot breathe, speak, or are turning blue, deliver firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
   • If that doesn’t work, perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver).
   • What to Do When an Adult is Choking (Responsive) demonstrates the correct sequence of back blows and thrusts.
   • How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver | In Case of Emergency | Mass General Brigham gives a focused tutorial on the Heimlich, including when not to use it.

3. Call for Help
   • If the person becomes unresponsive, call emergency services immediately and begin CPR if trained.
   • Choking: First aid steps and key action

🧍 If You Are Choking and Alone

• Try to give yourself abdominal thrusts by pressing your upper abdomen forcefully against the back of a chair, countertop, or your own fists.