How to Help a Choking Person or Child

Choking happens when food, liquid, or a small object blocks the airway and prevents normal breathing. It can become an emergency within minutes, so knowing what to do can save a life.
How to know someone is choking
Look out for these signs:
Sudden inability to talk
Difficulty breathing
Weak or no coughing
Hands clutching the throat
Panic or distress
Bluish lips or face
In children or babies: weak cry, silence, or trouble breathing
What to do if an adult or child over 1 year is choking
If they can still cough or speak
This means the blockage may be partial.
What to do
Encourage them to keep coughing
Tell them to spit out the object if it comes into the mouth
Stay with them and watch closely
⚠️ Do NOT slap their back if they are coughing strongly, because coughing may clear it on its own.
If they cannot cough, speak, or breathe properly
This is severe choking and needs immediate action.
Step 1: Give 5 back blows
Stand behind the person and slightly to one side
Support their chest with one hand
Lean them forward
Use the heel of your hand to give 5 firm blows between the shoulder blades
Step 2: Give 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
If the object does not come out after back blows:
Stand behind the person
Put your arms around their waist
Make a fist and place it just above the navel (belly button)
Hold your fist with the other hand
Pull sharply inward and upward
Give up to 5 thrusts
Step 3: Repeat
Alternate 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts
Continue until the object comes out or the person becomes unconscious
Call emergency help immediately
If the blockage does not clear, call emergency services right away and continue helping the person while waiting for help. NHS/Red Cross guidance recommends continuing cycles of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the airway clears or help arrives. �
American Red Cross +2
How to help a choking baby (under 1 year)
⚠️ Do NOT use abdominal thrusts on a baby
Step 1: Give 5 back blows
Sit down and place the baby face-down along your forearm or thigh
Support the baby’s head and neck
Keep the head lower than the chest
Give 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades
Step 2: Give 5 chest thrusts
If the object does not come out:
Turn the baby face-up while still supporting the head
Place 2 fingers in the center of the chest, just below the nipple line
Give 5 quick chest thrusts
Step 3: Repeat
Continue 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts
Call for emergency help if the object does not come out
For infants under 1 year, major first-aid guidance recommends 5 back blows + 5 chest thrusts (not abdominal thrusts). �
American Red Cross +1
If the person becomes unconscious
Call emergency help immediately
Lay the person flat on the ground
If you can see the object in the mouth, carefully remove it
Do not blindly put your fingers into the mouth
Start CPR if they are not breathing normally
If a choking person becomes unresponsive, CPR should be started while emergency help is on the way. �
nhs.uk +1
Important things NOT to do
Do not put your fingers into the mouth if you cannot see the object
Do not give abdominal thrusts to a baby under 1 year
Do not leave the person alone
Do not delay calling for emergency help if breathing is seriously affected
Prevention tips
To reduce choking risk:
Cut food into small pieces for children
Keep small objects away from babies and toddlers
Avoid giving very young children foods like whole grapes, nuts, hard sweets, or chunks of meat
Encourage slow eating and proper chewing
Do not allow children to run or play while eating
Awareness message
Choking can happen suddenly and become life-threatening within minutes. Knowing how to respond with back blows, chest thrusts, or abdominal thrusts can save a life. If in doubt, act fast and call for emergency help.