top of page

How to Save Someone from Choking: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writer's picture: Jade ClancyJade Clancy


Choking is a life-threatening emergency that can happen to anyone at any time. Knowing how to respond quickly and effectively can save a life. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step approach to help someone who is choking, whether they are an adult, child, or infant.


Signs of Choking

Before you act, it’s important to recognize the signs of choking:


Universal distress signal: Hands clutching the throat. Difficulty speaking or breathing. Silent coughing or no sound at all. Skin turning blue (cyanosis). Loss of consciousness if the airway is not cleared.


Step-by-Step: Saving a Choking Adult or Child (Over 1 Year Old)


Step 1: Assess the Situation If the person can cough forcefully, encourage them to keep coughing. This is the body’s natural way of clearing the airway. If they cannot cough, speak, or breathe, they need immediate help.


Step 2: Perform the Heimlich Maneuver (Abdominal Thrusts stand behind the person: Place your arms around their waist.

Make a fist: Place it just above their navel and below the ribcage. Grab your fist with your other hand: Pull inward and upward in a quick, forceful motion.

Repeat thrusts: Continue until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive.


What to Do If the Person Becomes Unresponsive

Call 911 immediately or have someone else do it. Begin CPR if you’re trained: Check the mouth for the object and remove it if visible (never blindly sweep with your finger). Start chest compressions and rescue breaths if needed, following CPR protocol. Continue until professional help arrives.


Step-by-Step: Saving a Choking Infant (Under 1 Year Old)


Step 1: Position the Infant hold the infant face down on your forearm, supporting their head and neck with your hand. Rest your arm on your thigh for stability.


Step 2: Administer Back Blows using the heel of your hand, deliver 5 firm back blows between the infant’s shoulder blades.


Step 3: Perform Chest Thrusts turn the infant face up, still supporting their head and neck. Place two fingers on the center of their chest, just below the nipple line. Give 5 quick chest thrusts, pressing down about 1.5 inches.


Step 4: Repeat as Necessary alternate between back blows and chest thrusts until the object is dislodged or the infant becomes unresponsive.


Preventing Choking

To reduce the risk of choking: Cut food into small, manageable pieces. Avoid giving hard or round foods (e.g., nuts, hard candy) to young children. Keep small objects out of reach.


Teach children to chew their food thoroughly and avoid talking or laughing while eating. Why You Should Learn CPR and First Aid If a choking situation escalates, CPR may be necessary. Being trained in CPR and first aid equips you with the skills to handle emergencies confidently. Consider enrolling in a course through organizations like AceHope CPR, where you’ll gain hands-on experience in dealing with choking and other life-threatening situations.


Conclusion Choking emergencies require quick and decisive action. By understanding the signs and knowing how to perform life-saving techniques like the Heimlich maneuver, back blows, and chest thrusts, you can make a critical difference. Remember, staying calm and acting promptly can save a life.


About the Author


Jade Clancy, founder and instructor of AceHopeCPR

Jade Clancy is the Founder & Lead Instructor for AceHopeCPR. Jade's professional experience comes from over 20 years in the education field. She has her BA from Indiana University, has taught in various public school sectors and now resides and teaches in Central Florida.


​AceHopeCPR provides BLS/Provider certifications and First Aid certification courses for healthcare professionals, first responders and individuals. Most classes are on-site at the Heather Golf Club in Weeki Wachee, Florida. We do offer off-site and at your location of choice throughout Central Florida and Georgia.



To learn more about how AceHopeCPR can help your business stay in compliance or get your BLS certification, click HERE.


Follow AceHopeCPR on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn



Let’s Connect


To learn more about AceHopeCPR and our CPR and First Aid courses. Visit us at www.AceHopeCPR.com

Comments


bottom of page