First Aid: Choking

Call 911 if the victim loses consciousness.

Step 1. Identify choking

• Ask the victim if he or she is choking. If the person can't speak, say that you will help.

• Don't slap the victim on the back. This may force the object lower into the airway.

Step 2. Grasp from behind

• Move behind the victim. Slide your palms under his or her arms, bringing your hands together in front of the victim's body.

• Make a fist with one hand, placing the flat surface of the thumb and first finger above the belt line.

• Note: If pregnancy or extreme overweight makes this impossible, give thrusts inward against the middle of the victim's breastbone.

Step 3. Thrust in and up

• Cover your fist with the other hand, keeping your elbows away from your body.

• Pull in and up quickly, using hard thrusts to force air from the victim's lungs. This pops out the blockage.

• Repeat thrusts until the victim coughs or speaks.