Choking, Airway Obstruction

If your loved one is chocking, first determine (quickly) if he or she has partial obstruction (he or she can cough), or not.

1.Complete Airway Obstruction in Unconscious Victim

If your loved one is unconscious, call 9-1-1 or an emergency medical services number immediately. If you are not near a phone, ask someone to call 9-1-1 for you while you attend to your loved one. You may need to perform CPR or resuscitative breathing techniques. It is advised that you receive proper CPR training before doing this, however. Click here for the breathing problems section. 

2. Partial or Complete Airway Obstruction in Conscious Victim

Choking Symptoms: Partial/Complete Airway Obstruction

Choking symptoms for those with partial airway obstruction include:

Weak cough, high-pitched crowing noises during inhalation, inability to breathe, cough or speak, gesture of clutching neck between thumb and index finger, exaggerated breathing efforts, dusky or bluish skin color.

Choking treatment: Partial/Complete Airway Obstruction

For Adult Choking Victim – If your loved one is standing or sitting, perform the Heimlich Maneuver:

1. Stand slightly behind your loved one.
2. Place your arms around your loved one’s waist; place your fist, thumb side in, against victim’s abdomen, slightly above the navel and below the rib margins.
3. Grasp fist with your other hand and exert a quick upward thrust. Repeat (five times in a rapid succession) if necessary (Heimlich Maneuver or manual thrust).

3. Partial Obstruction with Good Air Exchange

Choking Symptoms: Partial Airway Obstruction

Choking symptoms may include: Forceful cough with wheezing sounds between coughs.

Choking Treatment: Partial Airway Obstruction

Encourage your loved one to cough as long as good air exchange (ability to breathe)  continues. DO NOT interfere with his or her attempts to expel object.