Choking — Reference Guide

? Signs and Symptoms of Choking

? Mild Choking

• Able to speak, cough, or breathe
• May point to the throat
• Wheezing or noisy breathing
• Red face or watery eyes
• Persistent coughing or gagging

? Severe Choking (Complete Airway Obstruction)

• Unable to speak, cough, or breathe
• Clutching the throat — the universal choking sign
• Silent attempts to cough
• Panic or distressed expression
• Blue lips or skin (cyanosis)
• Loss of consciousness if not treated quickly

? This is a medical emergency — immediate action is needed.

Treatment

? For Adults and Children Over 1 Year

?️ Step 1: Give 5 Back Blows

• Stand to the side and slightly behind the person.
• Support their chest with one hand.
• Bend them forward at the waist.
• Give 5 firm back blows between their shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.

? Step 2: Give 5 Abdominal Thrusts (Heimlich Manoeuvre)

• Stand behind the person.
• Place your arms around their waist.
• Make a fist with one hand and place it just above their belly button.
• Grasp your fist with your other hand.
• Pull sharply inwards and upwards.
• Repeat up to 5 times.

? Alternate between 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged or the person becomes unconscious.

? For Babies Under 1 Year

? Step 1: 5 Back Blows

• Sit down and hold the baby face down along your thigh.
• Support their head and neck.
• Give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades.

? Step 2: 5 Chest Thrusts

• Turn the baby onto their back.
• Use two fingers in the centre of the chest, just below the nipple line.
• Give 5 sharp chest thrusts (not abdominal thrusts).

? Repeat alternating back blows and chest thrusts until the object comes out or baby becomes unresponsive.