Someone Who Is Choking

Someone who is choking may be clutching at their chest or neck and won’t be able to speak, breathe or cough.

1. If someone is choking, encourage them to cough.

If the blockage is severe, they may be holding their chest or neck and won't be able to speak, breathe or cough, and you will need to help them.

2. Bend them forwards and give up to 5 back blows to try and dislodge the blockage.

Hit them firmly on their back with the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades. Hitting them on their back creates a strong vibration and pressure in the airway, which is often enough to dislodge the blockage. Dislodging the blockage will allow them to breathe again.

3. If they are still choking, give up to 5 abdominal thrusts: hold around the waist and pull inwards and upwards above their belly button.  

Abdominal thrusts squeeze the air out of the lungs and may dislodge the blockage. 

4. If they are still choking call 999.

Repeat the steps until they can breathe again or until help arrives.

Common questions about first aid for someone who is choking

What should I do if back blows don’t stop the person choking?

If back blows do not dislodge the blockage, stand behind them, join your hands around their tummy and form a fist. Pull your hands sharply inwards and upwards. Repeat up to five times. This is sometimes called the Heimlich manoeuvre or abdominal thrust. Don’t do this on a child under a year old.

What should I do if the person becomes unresponsive?

Support them, lowering them gently to the ground and treat them as someone who is unresponsive and not breathing.

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