Choking

Question 1

How to recognise choking?

Answer 1

Suspect choking in someone who is suddenly unable to speak or talk, particularly if eating.

Question 2

What should you do if someone is choking?

Answer 2

1. Encourage the person to cough
2. 5 back blows: lean the person forward and apply blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of the hand. If back blows are ineffective, move onto (3).
3. 5 abdominal thrusts: stand behind the person, put you arms around the upper part of the abdomen, clench your fist and put it around the umbilicus and grasp it with your other hand. Then pull inwards and upwards.

If choking has not been relieved after 5 abdominal thrusts, continue alternating 5 back blows with 5 abdominal thrusts until it is relieved, or the if person becomes unresponsive, start CPR.