Suspect choking if a person is unable to speak or cough.

​

 

Ask the person: “Are you choking?” they may point at their throat

​

Remove helmet urgently

​

Encourage the person to cough.

 

If the person is unable to cough or the cough becomes ineffective, give up to five back blows.

​

If back blows are ineffective, give up to five abdominal thrusts.

​

If choking has not been relieved after five abdominal thrusts, call 999 and continue alternating five back blows with five abdominal thrusts until choking is relieved, or the person becomes unresponsive.

​

Do NOT use blind finger sweeps to try and remove a foreign body from the mouth or airway.

​

If the person becomes unresponsive, start CPR and ensure 999 has been called.

​

Any person successfully treated for choking with abdominal thrusts or chest compressions should be evaluated by a healthcare practitioner since complications and injuries may occur.