First aid
What to do if someone is choking
A quick guide to helping a person who is choking. Keep it where you can find it.
This is a quick guide to helping someone who is choking. Keep it where you can find it. If at any point they cannot breathe and you are alone, call 999 and put it on speaker.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Call 999 and start CPR if any of these happen
If they go limp or stop breathing, they need help straight away.
- The person stops breathing — call 999 now
- They go limp or floppy, or pass out
- They become unconscious and are not responding
- Their lips or face turn blue or grey
- The blockage will not clear after back blows and thrusts — call 999
- A baby or child becomes limp or stops breathing
CALL 999 if they collapse and do not respond, begin chest compressions and follow the 999 operator. Always see a doctor afterwards if back blows, thrusts or chest thrusts were used — there may be an injury or a piece left behind.
If they can still cough or speak
- Encourage them to keep coughing — this is the best way to clear it.
- Stay with them. Do not slap their back while they can breathe, cough or speak.
- Remove anything obvious from the mouth, but do not put your fingers in to feel for it.
If they cannot breathe, cough or speak (adult or child over 1)
- Give up to 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
- If that fails, give up to 5 abdominal thrusts — stand behind, hands just above the belly button, and pull sharply inwards and upwards.
- Keep alternating 5 back blows and 5 thrusts. Call 999 if it does not clear.
- If she is pregnant, or you cannot reach round the belly, push on the lower chest instead.
For a baby under 1 year
Never use abdominal thrusts on a baby. Lay them face down along your forearm, head low, and give up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades. If that fails, turn them face up and give up to 5 chest thrusts using two fingers on the breastbone. Keep alternating, and call 999 if the blockage does not clear. Have the baby checked by a doctor afterwards, even if it comes out.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above