Choking Rāoa

Someone who is choking will have difficulty breathing and talking.

If their airway is partly blocked:

• their breathing may be noisy
• it may make them cough
• they may be very anxious and frightened.

If their airway is totally blocked:

• they will be unable to cough, breathe or speak
• they may be using hand signals to point to their throat
• their skin may be pale or turning blue
• they will be very distressed.

For a partial blockage

• Ask the person if they are choking.
• Tell them to cough to expel the item blocking their windpipe.
• Reassure them.
• If you can see what is causing the blockage, remove it using your thumb and 2 fingers.
• Do not put your fingers into their mouth unless you can see the object and grab it. If you cannot remove it safely you may end up pushing it further down.
• Stay with them until they have fully recovered.

If coughing or removing the object does not work, try back blows

• Call 111 for an ambulance.
• If the person is conscious, give them up to 5 back blows between their shoulder blades using the heel of your hand. 
• If a baby is choking, place them face down on your lap. Make sure their head is supported. 
• Check between each blow to see if you have dislodged the object.

If back blows do not work, try chest thrusts

• Give an adult or child 5 separate chest thrusts. 
• Give a baby chest thrusts using your fingers. 
• Swap between back blows and chest thrusts until the object has come out or an ambulance has arrived.

• How to do CPR on an adult (includes video) — Hato Hone St Johnexternal link
• How to do CPR on a child (includes video) — Hato Hone St Johnexternal link
• How to do CPR on a baby (includes video) — Hato Hone St Johnexternal link

On an adult or child

• Stand behind the person.
• Wrap your arm around their chest.
• Make a fist with this hand, with your thumb on the outside.
• Place your fist with the thumb side against the middle of their breastbone.
• Grasp your fist with your other hand and give 5 separate, quick, sharp, inwards and upwards thrusts.

On a baby

• Lay the baby face up on your forearm or your lap.
• Support their head and jaw with your hand.
• Place your middle and index fingers at the centre of their chest bone (just below the nipple line).
• Give 5 separate, quick, sharp, inward and upwards thrusts.