Emergency Guide

Choking:

  1. If the person cannot speak, cough, or breathe or is making high-pitched noise, immediately begin care for choking. Alternate between any two of the following methods until the object comes out: back blows, abdominal thrusts, and chest thrusts.
    • Back Blows: Place your arms across the person's chest and bend the person forward and deliver up to 5 firm blows between the shoulder blades.
    • Abdominal Thrusts: Place your fist just above the belly button and give up to 5 quick, inward and upward thrusts.
    • Chest Thrusts: Place your fist in the middle of the person’s chest with your thumb facing inward, and place your other hand over your fist, giving up to 5 chest thrusts by pulling straight back.
  2. Continue providing care until the object comes out or the person begins to breathe or cough. If the person becomes unresponsive, call EMS/9-1-1 and begin CPR, starting with chest compressions.

Source: https://www.redcross.ca/crc/documents/fa_poster_chokingadult_web.pdf