Survival guides · First Aid & Health

Choking — Adult or Child

ACT NOWSomeone is clutching their throat and can't cough, speak or breathe.

1. Confirm they're choking

   
   • Hands at the throat — the universal choking sign.
   • Can't talk, cough or breathe. Skin may turn blue.
   • Coughing hard? Let them cough. Don't step in yet.
   • Tell someone to call 911 the moment you start — or run for help if there's no service.
   • No signal at all? Have someone dial 911 anyway — iPhone 14 and newer offer to text 911 by satellite. They'll need to be outside, clear view of the sky.

2. Give 5 back blows

   • Stand to the side, slightly behind.
   • One hand across their chest; lean them forward.
   • Heel of your other hand: 5 hard blows between the shoulder blades.

3. Give 5 abdominal thrusts

   
   • Stand behind them, arms around the waist.
   • Fist just above the belly button, well below the breastbone.
   • Grab the fist with your other hand. 5 quick, hard inward-and-upward thrusts.
   • Late pregnancy, or can't reach around? Chest thrusts instead — fist on the center of the breastbone.

4. Keep alternating

   • 5 back blows, 5 thrusts — until it comes out, they can breathe, or they pass out.
   • They pass out? Lower them to the ground, make sure help is coming, start CPR.
   • Look in the mouth before each breath. See the object? Take it out.

Sources: American Heart Association (2025 Guidelines for CPR and ECC) · American Red Cross (2024)

General information to help in an emergency — not a substitute for training or professional care.