How to Deal with Choking - for Conscious Adult or Child Over 1 Year

Procedure

1. Determine that airway is obstructed - ask the victim, "Are you choking?  Can you speak?"
2. Stand behind the victim, and wrap your arms around his or her waist.  If the victim is obese or
   

   Choking rescue
   pregnant, wrap hands around chest).
3. Make a fist, and place thumb side of fist in the middle of the abdomen just above navel (middle of sternum for obese or pregnant victim).
4. Grasp fist with other hand.
5. Press fist abruptly into victim's abdomen using upward, inward thrust (straight back for obese or pregnant victim).
6. Continue thrusts until object is dislodged or victim loses consciousness.
7. If victim loses consciousness, give first aid for unconscious choking adult or child.

Signs and Symptoms of a Choking Adult or Child

·        Grabbing at the throat area with one hand

·        High-pitched crowing sounds, and inability to speak or talk

·        There is wheezing, gagging, ineffective coughing

If you are not trained to do so, or if you do not know how the procedure works, ask someone in the area that has the proper knowledge to do so.  If not, try to follow the procedure carefully.  And call for help.  Do not be afraid to approach someone that could possibly be able to help.