Learn how to help a choking person with these clear first aid steps. Save lives quickly and confidently – essential guide for adults, children and infants using Heimlich and back blows.
How to Help a Choking Person: 4 First Aid Steps That Save Lives
Choking is a terrifying emergency that can happen anywhere – at home, in restaurants or during play. Every year, thousands die from choking, but immediate action saves most victims. The universal choking sign – hands clutched to throat – means airway blocked, no breathing, no speaking.
This guide shares proven first aid steps to save lives. Based on Red Cross, St John Ambulance and NHS guidelines, these techniques work for adults, children and infants.
Act fast – seconds count.
Recognising Choking
Signs:
- Unable to speak/cough/breathe
- Clutching throat
- Face turning red then blue
- Wheezing or silent attempts to breathe
If person can cough forcefully – encourage coughing.
If not – act immediately.
For Conscious Adults/Children Over 1 Year
Step 1: Encourage Coughing
Ask: “Are you choking?”
If they nod/can’t speak:
- Encourage strong coughs
If ineffective – move to back blows.
Step 2: Give 5 Back Blows
Do:
- Stand to side/slightly behind
- Support chest with one hand, lean forward
- 5 sharp blows between shoulder blades with heel of hand
Check mouth after each – remove object if visible.
Don’t:
- Slap too hard on children – Adjust force.
Step 3: Give 5 Abdominal Thrusts (Heimlich)
If back blows fail:
Do:
- Stand behind, arms around waist
- Fist (thumb in) above navel, below ribcage
- Grasp fist with other hand
- 5 quick inward/upward thrusts
Check mouth after each.
Alternate 5 blows + 5 thrusts until object out or person unconscious.
Step 4: If Person Becomes Unconscious
- Call 999 (or shout for help to call)
- Start CPR – 30 compressions, check mouth
For Conscious Infants Under 1 Year
Different – No abdominal thrusts (organ damage risk).
Step 1: 5 Back Blows
- Sit, hold infant face-down on forearm (head lower)
- Support head/jaw
- 5 firm blows between shoulders with heel of hand
Step 2: 5 Chest Thrusts
If ineffective:
- Turn infant face-up on forearm
- 5 thrusts middle chest (two fingers)
Alternate until object out or infant unconscious.
Step 3: If Unconscious
- Call 999
- Start infant CPR
Prevention Tips
- Cut food small (grapes, hot dogs)
- No hard sweets under 5 years
- Supervise young children eating/playing
- Learn CPR/first aid
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Pregnant/obese person?
A: Chest thrusts instead of abdominal.
Q: Alone choking?
A: Self-Heimlich – Fist thrusts or against chair back.
Q: Object removed but not breathing?
A: Start CPR.
Q: When call 999?
A: Immediately if severe or unconscious.
Q: Training available?
A: Red Cross/St John courses recommended.
Final Thoughts
Helping a choking person is about quick, confident action – these steps save lives when seconds matter. Practice on mannequins, stay calm and remember: your intervention turns terror into triumph.
Keep these rules in mind, share with family and be ready.
You could save a life today.
