If someone was unable to speak, cough or breathe and had a severe obstruction in their throat, would you know how to help?
1. Give up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
2. Check the mouth quickly after each one and remove any obvious obstruction. If the obstruction is still present:
3. Give up to 5 abdominal thrusts. Place a clenched fist between the navel and the bottom of the breast bone and pull inwards and upwards. Check the mouth quickly after each one. If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts, dial 999 (or 112) for an ambulance.
4. Continue cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts until help arrives and resuscitate if necessary.
Any casualty who has been given abdominal thrusts must seek medical advice.
A baby can easily choke on food or small objects in the mouth; you need to act quickly to clear the obstruction.
Are they able to breathe, cry or cough? If so, this is a mild case and the obstruction will probably clear on its own. Keep an eye on the baby and make sure their condition doesn't deteriorate.
If not, this is a severe case of choking. You should:
1. Lay the baby face down along your forearm, with their head low.
2. Give up to 5 back blows (as shown) between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Check their mouth quickly after each one and remove any obvious obstruction. If the obstruction is still present:
3. Turn the baby onto their back and give up to 5 chest thrusts, with 2 fingers in the middle of the chest pushing inwards and upwards. Check the mouth quickly after each one.
If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and chest thrusts, dial 999 (or 112) for an ambulance.
Continue cycles of back blows and chest thrusts until help arrives and resuscitate if necessary.
Seek medical advice for any baby who has been given chest thrusts.
