First Aid For Choking

Recently Answered

• QHow do I give abdominal thrusts to a child who is choking?

  1 Answer

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  A American Red Cross answered

  Stand or kneel behind the child and wrap your arms around his or her waist. 

  Locate the navel with one or two fingers of one hand. Make a fist with the other hand and place the thumb side against the middle of the child’s abdomen, just above the navel and well below the lower tip of the breastbone.

  Grab your fist with your other hand and give quick, upward thrusts into the abdomen.

• QWhy should an child who was choking be seen by a doctor after the event?

  1 Answer

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  A American Red Cross answered

  A child who has choked and has been given back blows, abdominal thrusts or chest thrusts to clear the airway requires a medical evaluation. Internal injuries and damage to the airway may not be evident immediately.
• QWhat foods should young children avoid to prevent choking?

  2 Answers

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  A American Red Cross answered

  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends young children:

  • Not eat smooth foods such as raw vegetables (which they may not be able to chew or grind with their teeth) or peanuts until they are 7 or older.
  • Not eat round, firm foods such as hot dogs and carrot sticks unless they are chopped into small pieces no larger than ½ inch
  • Avoid hard, gooey or sticky candy; grapes; popcorn; chewing gum; and vitamins.

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• QWhat do I do if my rescue breaths do not give air to an unconscious child?

  1 Answer

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  A American Red Cross answered

  Re-tilt the head, and try another rescue breath. If you still cannot get air into the child, assume that the airway is blocked.
• QHow do I give back blows to a conscious choking infant?

  1 Answer

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  A American Red Cross answered

  To give back blows:
   

  1. Position the infant face-down on your forearm, holding the infant's jaw with your thumb and fingers.
  2. Lower your arm onto your thigh so that the infant’s head is lower than his or her chest. 

  • Then give 5 firm back blows with the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades. 
  • Each back blow should be a separate and distinct attempt to dislodge the object. 
• QHow do I give black blows to an adult who is choking?

  1 Answer

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  A American Red Cross answered

  

  • To give back blows, position yourself slightly behind the person. 
  • Provide support by placing one arm diagonally across the chest and bend the person forward at the waist until the upper airway is at least parallel to the ground. 
  • Firmly strike the person between the shoulder blades with the heel of your other hand.

  
  
  
   

  
• QHow do I give abdominal thrusts to an adult who is choking?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A American Red Cross answered

  

  • Stand or kneel behind the person and wrap your arms around his or her waist. 
  • Locate the navel with one or two fingers of one hand. Make a fist with the other hand and place the thumb side against the middle of the person’s abdomen, just above the navel and well below the lower tip of the breastbone. 
  • Grab your fist with your other hand and give quick, upward thrusts into the abdomen. 

  
  
   

  
• QHow can coughing help a choking child?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A American Red Cross answered

  Coughing forcefully may dislodge whatever is partially blocking the airway. A child who is getting enough air to cough or speak is getting enough air to breathe. 
• QWhat should I do if someone is choking?

  2 Answers

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  

  If someone is choking, should  perform the Heimlich maneuver. Watch this video as Dr. Oz demonstrates the Heimlich maneuver.
  
  
  

  

  Find out more about this DVD:

  What Should I Do If Someone Is Choking?
  Buy DVD

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• QWhat are common non-food items that can cause choking in young children?

  1 Answer

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  A American Red Cross answered

  These include:

  • Broken or un-inflated balloons
  • Baby powder
  • Eggshells
  • Pop-tops from beverage cans
  • Safety pins
  • Coins
  • Marbles
  • Pen and marker caps
  • Watch or hearing-aid batteries