How To: Treat a choking person (British Red Cross)

Choking is serious life-threatening problem that need immediate attention. If waiting too long, it could result in such problems as hypoxia or even death. Being able to respond to a choking victim could save someone's life, and everyone should know this first aid procedure.

For ages one (1) year and older:

1. Give up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
2. Check the mouth quickly after each one and remove any obvious obstruction. If the obstruction is still present:
3. Give up to 5 abdominal thrusts. Place a clenched fist between the navel and the bottom of the breast bone and pull inwards and upwards. Check the mouth quickly after each one. If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts, dial an ambulance.
4. Continue cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts until help arrives and resuscitate if necessary.

For babies less that one (1) year old:

1. Lay the baby face down along your forearm, with their head low.
2. Give up to 5 back blows (as shown) between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Check their mouth quickly after each one and remove any obvious obstruction. If the obstruction is still present:
3. Turn the baby onto their back and give up to 5 chest thrusts, with 2 fingers in the middle of the chest pushing inwards and upwards. Check the mouth quickly after each one. If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and chest thrusts, dial an ambulance.
4. Continue cycles of back blows and chest thrusts until help arrives and resuscitate if necessary.

The British Red Cross designed these first aid videos to help everyone in being prepared and ready to respond to emergencies that may come their way. First aid is very important in making sure injuries don't become worse than they have to… or even life threatening. Rapid response is the best way to help an accident victim's injury and suffering.