Chapter 14: Choking Emergencies

A choking emergency happens when something blocks the airway, making it hard or impossible to breathe. This is a serious situation that requires quick action.

What Causes Choking?

Choking can happen when a foreign object—such as food or a small item—blocks the airway. Common causes include:

• Eating too quickly or not chewing food well
• Talking or laughing while eating
• Alcohol or drug use
• Ill-fitting dental appliances
• Small objects (such as coins or marbles), especially in children

Signs of Choking

A person who is choking may:

• Be unable to speak
• Have difficulty breathing or wheeze
• Cough weakly or gag
• Appear panicked
• Clutch their throat (the universal choking sign)
• Turn blue around the lips or fingertips
• Lose consciousness

First Aid for Choking

1. Ask, “Are you choking?”
2. If the person cannot speak, breathe, or cough forcefully, activate emergency response and tell the person you are going to help.
3. Stand behind the person and slightly lean them forward.
4. Give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.
5. Make a fist and place it just above the belly button.
6. Grasp your fist with the other hand and give 5 quick upward abdominal thrusts.
7. Continue alternating 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts.
8. Stop when the object is expelled and the person can breathe, cough, or speak, or if the person becomes unresponsive.

Special Situations

• For pregnant individuals or someone too large to reach around, perform chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.

If the Person Becomes Unconscious

• Lower them to the ground safely.
• Begin CPR immediately.