How to Treat a Conscious Choking Adult or Child

Steps

1

Step One

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Look for signs of choking: clutching the throat with the hands; a high-pitched wheezing sound; no speaking, forceful coughing or breathing.

3

Step Three

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Position yourself behind the choking person.

4

Step Four

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Reach around the choking person with both hands, as if giving him or her a bear hug from behind.

5

Step Five

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Make a fist with one hand, placing the thumb side just above the navel of the choking person.

7

Step Seven

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Thrust your hands inward and upward with a quick motion.

Tips & Warnings

• If the person is coughing, he or she is still getting air. Encourage him or her to keep coughing in order to dislodge whatever is threatening to obstruct the airway.
• "Child," for these purposes, refers to people from approximately age 1 to approximately age 8, depending on speed of development (for infants, see "How to Treat a Conscious Choking Infant").
• If the choking person falls unconscious, check visually for the obstructing object and sweep it out. If you can't find or remove the object, treat for unconscious choking (see "How to Treat an Unconscious Choking Adult or Child").

• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.