Choking is a dangerous emergency that requires quick action.
Learn the essential steps to help a choking person, whether it’s a child, adult, or even your dog, and save lives with the right techniques.
Choking is one of the most critical emergencies that can happen unexpectedly. It doesn’t matter where you are—whether at a dinner party or in the middle of a busy street—knowing how to react when someone starts choking could save their life. In this ultimate guide, we break down the steps to manage a choking incident, from recognising the signs to performing life-saving techniques like the Heimlich maneuver. Whether it’s an adult, child, or even your dog, we’ve got you covered with essential steps you need to know.
Understanding the Basics: Recognising Choking
Before jumping into the steps to save a life, it’s crucial to assess the situation. Recognising whether the airway obstruction is partial or total is the first step in determining the correct action.
- Partial obstruction: The person will still be able to speak, cough, or cry out. They may appear panicked or pale, but they can still breathe, though it is restricted. In this case, encourage coughing to help clear the airway.
- Total obstruction: If the person can’t speak, cough, or breathe and starts grabbing at their throat, this is a severe emergency. Their lips or fingernails may turn blue, signalling a complete lack of oxygen. Immediate action is needed.
Essential Steps to Save a Choking Person
- Encourage Coughing (For Partial Obstruction)
If the person is able to cough, encourage them to do so. Coughing is the most effective method for clearing the airway as it can push out the obstruction naturally. Calm the person, reassure them, and keep them focused on coughing. Avoid giving them water as it may worsen the situation. - Back Blows (For Partial Obstruction)
If the person is unable to cough effectively, stand behind them, lean them forward, and give up to five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand. Ensure the blows are directed upward towards their mouth, not horizontally. - Performing the Heimlich Maneuver (For Total Obstruction)
When the airway is completely blocked and the person can’t breathe, the Heimlich maneuver is the most effective option. Stand behind the victim, wrap your arms around their torso, and perform quick upward thrusts, aiming just above the belly button. Repeat until the airway clears. - For Unconscious Victims (Adults and Children)
If the person becomes unconscious, lay them on their back and perform chest compressions. After clearing the airway, if necessary, start CPR. Make sure to tilt the head back to open the airway before beginning chest compressions.
Life-Saving Tips for Specific Situations
- Helping Yourself:
If you’re choking and no one is around, you can perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself by making a fist and applying pressure just above your belly button. Alternatively, use a sturdy object like a chair or table corner to help dislodge the obstruction. - Helping Pregnant Women and Obese Individuals:
For those with larger bellies, such as pregnant women, adjust the Heimlich maneuver by placing your hands higher on their abdomen and using quick, hard chest thrusts instead of the regular upward thrusts. - Helping Children and Infants:
For infants under 1 year old, use back blows followed by chest thrusts. If it’s a child older than one, use the same Heimlich maneuver as you would for an adult, but make sure to adjust your force based on their size.
Saving a Choking Dog:
Dogs can also choke, and the method to help them is similar to humans. If a dog is drooling excessively or acting agitated, perform back blows or the Heimlich maneuver. Be sure to check the dog’s throat for any visible obstruction and, if possible, carefully remove it.
