Module
Choking (FBAO)
Severity assessment
- PARTIAL obstruction: can speak, cry, cough, breathe — encourage them to cough
- COMPLETE obstruction: cannot cough effectively, cannot speak, infant doesn't cry, nodding/gesturing, going blue
Adult — complete obstruction, conscious
- Lean person forward
- Up to 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades
- Check after each blow whether the object is dislodged
- If unsuccessful: stand behind, up to 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich)
- Hand position: between navel and xiphoid; fist with thumb to abdomen, other hand over it, pull IN and UP
- Alternate sets until object out OR they go unconscious
- After success: ALWAYS see a doctor (airway/abdominal check)
Pregnant woman in late pregnancy
Do NOT do abdominal thrusts. Instead, sharp thrusts to the LOWER HALF OF THE STERNUM.
Child (>1 year) — same as adult
Up to 5 back blows, then up to 5 abdominal thrusts. Adjust force to size.
Infant — different technique
- Lay infant face DOWN along your forearm, head lower than body
- Up to 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades
- Turn infant face UP along the other forearm, head lower
- Up to 5 CHEST thrusts (same spot as compressions)
- NEVER abdominal thrusts on an infant
- Alternate sets
If they go unconscious
Lay flat, call 112 (speakerphone), look in mouth — remove only what you can SEE and reach. Start CPR. For children/infants: 5 initial breaths then 15:2. For adults: 30:2.