Repeat the back thumps and chest compressions if breathing doesn't start.Let the chest rise between each compression. Place two fingers just below the nipple line.

Give five gentle but firm chest compressions with your fingers.

Place the infant's head lower than the trunk.

Turn the infant faceup on your forearm if breathing hasn't started.

Gravity and the back thumps should release the blockage. Point your fingers up so that you don't hit the back of the infant's head.

Thump the infant gently but firmly five times on the middle of the back.

Hold the infant's chin and jaw to support the head.

Sit and hold the infant facedown on your forearm.

To clear the airway of a choking infant younger than age 1: Recheck the mouth regularly for the object. If the airway is still blocked, use chest compressions such as those that are used in CPR to remove the stuck object.

Begin CPR if the person still doesn't respond.

You risk pushing the blockage deeper into the airway. Never finger sweep if you can't see the object. If you can see the object, reach a finger into the mouth to sweep out the object.

Lower the person onto the floor, with the back on the floor and arms to the sides.

To clear the airway of an unconscious person:

Repeat until the blockage is removed from the airway.

This is the same action as the Heimlich maneuver.

Press hard into the chest with a quick thrust.

Put your hands at the base of the breastbone, just above the joining of the lowest ribs.

If the person is pregnant or if you can't get your arms around the stomach, give chest thrusts: If the person becomes unconscious, start standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with chest compressions and rescue breaths. If another person is there, have that person call for help while you give first aid. Then call 911 or your local emergency number for help. If you're the only rescuer, give back blows and abdominal thrusts first. For a child, use gentle yet firm pressure to avoid damaging the internal organs. Press into the stomach, also called the abdomen, with a quick, upward thrust - as if trying to lift the person up. Place one foot slightly in front of the other for balance. To give abdominal thrusts to someone else:

Both approaches are acceptable for adults and children older than age 1. It's OK not to use back blows if you haven't learned the back-blow technique. Some sources only teach the abdominal thrust. Alternate between five blows and five thrusts until the blockage is dislodged.If back blows don't remove the stuck object, give five abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver. Strike five separate times between the person's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Bend the person over at the waist to face the ground. Place your arm across the person's chest to support the person's body. Stand to the side and just behind a choking adult. The American Red Cross recommends the following steps:

If a person can't cough, talk, cry or laugh forcefully, give first aid to the person. If a choking person can cough forcefully, let the person keep coughing.Ĭoughing might naturally remove the stuck object. Skin, lips and nails that change color turning blue or gray.Cough, which may either be weak or forceful.One or both hands clutched to the throat.

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