Choking

Overview

Choking occurs when food, fluid or another object blocks the airway. The response depends on whether the casualty can still cough effectively.

Mild and Severe Choking

Type	Signs	First Aid
Mild	Effective cough, able to breathe or speak	Encourage coughing and monitor
Severe	Ineffective cough, unable to speak, breathe or cry, distress, blue colour or collapse	Call 000 and provide back blows and chest thrusts

Treatment

For severe choking, give up to 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades. If the blockage does not clear, give up to 5 chest thrusts.

Check after each blow or thrust. Stop if the obstruction clears.

Unconscious Casualty

If the casualty becomes unconscious, lower them safely, call 000 and start CPR if they are not breathing normally. Before rescue breaths, look in the mouth and remove only loose, visible material.

Important Note

Abdominal thrusts, often called the Heimlich manoeuvre, are not used in Australian first aid guidance. Use back blows and chest thrusts.