Choking & Abdominal Thrusts
Choking can happen at any lunch break. A person whose airway is blocked can lose consciousness within minutes. Quick action from a coworker can save their life.
- All workers
- Homeowners
Photo: first aid instructor demonstrating abdominal thrusts on a training partner
Recognize choking
- Hands clutching the throat (the universal sign for choking)
- Can’t speak, cough or breathe, or makes high-pitched sounds
- Weak, ineffective cough
- Lips or face turning blue or gray
If the person can cough forcefully or talk, encourage them to keep coughing and stay with them.
If they can’t breathe, cough or speak
- Ask “Are you choking? Can I help?”
- Have someone call 911.
- Back blows (if your training includes them): lean the person forward and give up to 5 firm blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
- Abdominal thrusts: stand behind them, wrap your arms around their waist, make a fist with one hand just above the belly button, grab it with the other hand, and give quick inward and upward thrusts.
- Repeat until the object comes out, they can breathe or cough, or they become unresponsive.
Different first aid programs teach slightly different sequences; follow your training.
Special situations
- Pregnant or very large person: give chest thrusts instead, with your hands on the center of the breastbone.
- Choking alone: call 911, then give yourself abdominal thrusts with your fist, or thrust your upper belly against the back of a chair or a counter edge.
If they become unresponsive, lower them to the ground, make sure 911 is called, and start CPR. Each time you open the airway to give breaths, look for the object and remove it only if you can see it. See CPR & AED.
Afterward
Anyone who received abdominal thrusts should be checked by a medical professional, because thrusts can cause internal injuries.
Standards & references
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