"What to Do When Someone Is Choking: First Aid Steps You Need to Know"
- Wellness for All
- Oct 5, 2025
- 1 min read
Choking is a life-threatening emergency that can happen at any time, making it vital to know the proper steps to respond quickly and effectively. Whether it's a family member, friend, or stranger, the ability to act promptly could save a life.
Assess the situation
If the person is coughing, encourage them to keep coughing. The object may naturally clear out.
Call for help
If alone, perform first aid first, and then call for help
If others are present, ask someone to call for help while assisting the patient
Perform Heimlich Maneuver
For Adults and Children (Over 1 Year Old):
Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their waist.
Make a fist with one hand and place it just above their navel.
Grasp your fist with the other hand and perform quick, upward thrusts.
Repeat until the object is expelled or they become unresponsive.
For Infants (Under 1 Year Old):
Place the infant face-down on your forearm, supporting their head and neck with your hand.
Deliver 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
Turn the infant face-up and give 5 chest compressions using two fingers, just below the nipple line.
Alternate back blows and chest compressions until the object is dislodged or help arrives.
4. If the person is unresponsive, begin CPR immediately
Knowing how to respond to choking can mean the difference between life and death. Staying calm, acting swiftly, and always calling for professional help when needed are vital. By learning and practicing these steps, you can be prepared to help someone in a critical moment.
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