First Aid: Choking
Call 911 if the victim loses consciousness.
Choking occurs when the airway to the lungs becomes blocked, placing the victim's life in danger. Start rescue techniques right away.
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1. Identify Choking
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Look for a hand raised to the throat, an instinctive response to choking.
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Ask the victim if he or she is choking. If the person cannot speak, say that you will help.
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DON’T slap the victim on the back. This may force the object lower into the airway.
2. Grasp from Behind
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Move behind the victim. Slide your palms under his or her arms, bringing your hands together in front of the victim's body.
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Make a fist with one hand, placing the flat surface of the thumb and first finger above the belt line.
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Note: If pregnancy or extreme overweight makes this impossible, give thrusts inward against the middle of the victim's breastbone.
3. Thrust In and Up
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Cover your fist with the other hand, keeping your elbows away from your body.
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Pull in and up quickly, using hard thrusts to force air from the victim's lungs. This pops out the blockage.
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Repeat thrusts until the victim coughs or speaks.
