Choking
Coughing first, then back blows and tummy thrusts. Starter text to review by a health worker.
What to do
- If they can cough, encourage them to keep coughing.
- If they cannot cough, speak or breathe: bend them forward and give up to 5 firm blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
- If that does not work: stand behind them, put your arms round their waist and pull sharply inwards and upwards above the belly button, up to 5 times.
- Call 999 or 112 if they are still choking. Keep repeating 5 back blows and 5 tummy thrusts until help comes or the object comes out.
- If they become unresponsive, lower them to the ground, call for help and start CPR if you know how.
- Babies under one year: lay the baby face down along your thigh, head lower than the bottom, and give up to 5 firm back blows. Children over one: as for adults, but with less force.
Call 999 or 112 now if
- They cannot cough, speak or breathe.
- They become unresponsive.
- Anyone who was given tummy thrusts should be checked by a health worker afterwards.
Do not
- Do not give tummy (abdominal) thrusts to a baby under one year old.
- Do not put your fingers blindly into the mouth to search for the object.
Sources
Written in our own words from these sources. Learn first aid properly with the Kenya Red Cross.