Choking

There are two levels of choking: a partial airway obstruction and a full airway obstruction. Those experiencing a partial obstruction will still be able to speak to you, although it may be difficult, and are still breathing. They will likely be coughing and may be making the universal sign for choking by clasping their hands around their neck. In this case, ask the person to cough strenuously and often in order to try and expel the object themselves. Keep and eye on them and only intervene if you feel they are getting worse, not better. 

Those experiencing a full obstruction will not be able to speak to you and are not breathing. You must act quickly. Begin by giving them five (5) sharp blows with the heel of your hand (the part of the palm closest to the wrist) in between their shoulder blades as they bend forward slightly (as depicted in the picture above). Check to see if anything has come out or the object has moved enough for the person to cough and release the obstruction themselves.  

If this has not been successful, you will now given them five (5) abdominal thrusts. To do this, place the fist of one hand, thumb inward, approximately one (1) inch or two and half (2.5) centimetres above their bellybutton (as depicted below). Now place the palm of your other hand on top of the first hand. Pull inwards and upwards sharply up to five (5) times to try and release the object. 

Keep alternating between the five (5) back blows and the five(5) abdominal thrusts to try and help the person. If you are not successful in removing the object, the person will become unresponsive and will require CPR.

The way in which you assist a young child or an infant is quite different. For more information on that, or to learn more about the above and be given a chance to practice the manoeuvre in a safe environment, please go to the Training Courses and Fundraising Events section of this website for course dates and times.