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Choking First Aid for Adults, Children & Babies | Red Cross–Aligned Guidance & Training Near You
Canadian Red Cross • WSIB-recognized

Choking First Aid: What to Do for Adults, Children & Babies

A choking emergency is scary—but the right steps save lives. Use this quick guide for adult, child, and infant choking, then lock in your skills with hands-on Red Cross–aligned First Aid, CPR/AED & BLS training near you.

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Adult • Child • Infant techniques Blended or In-Class Same-day temp certificate

Step-by-Step: Adult & Child (1+ years)

  1. Ask “Are you choking?” If they nod and can’t cough/speak, it’s severe choking. Send someone to call EMS (911) and get an AED.
  2. Back blows ×5: Stand slightly behind, support chest, bend person forward, deliver five sharp blows between shoulder blades.
  3. Abdominal thrusts ×5: Stand behind, fist above navel, quick inward-upward thrusts.
  4. Alternate 5 + 5 until the object comes out or the person becomes unresponsive.
  5. If unresponsive: Lower to the ground, start CPR, check mouth for object before breaths, and use an AED as soon as available.

For pregnant or obese adults, use chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.

Infant (under 1 year)

  1. Support the infant face-down along your forearm; head lower than body.
  2. Back blows ×5 between shoulder blades.
  3. Flip to face-up keeping head lower; give chest thrusts ×5 (two fingers, center of chest, just below nipple line, ~4 cm/1.5 in deep).
  4. Alternate 5 + 5 until effective or infant becomes unresponsive.
  5. If unresponsive: Begin CPR; look into mouth for visible object each cycle before breaths.

Never perform blind finger sweeps in infants or children.

When to Call 911 / EMS

  • Severe airway blockage (silent cough, blue/grey skin, cannot speak or breathe).
  • After any choking episode that required thrusts, especially for babies, older adults, or if symptoms persist.
  • Unresponsive at any time—start CPR and use an AED immediately.

Formal training reinforces timing, technique, and safety—book your session below.

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Prevention Tips

  • Cut food for kids (quarter grapes, slice hot dogs lengthwise, avoid hard candies/nuts for toddlers).
  • Seat children to eat; avoid running/playing with food in mouth.
  • Keep small objects/batteries out of reach; check toy age ratings.
  • Model slow, mindful chewing and safe swallowing.
  • Learn CPR/AED and refresh skills annually; pros often choose BLS.

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Practice Makes Permanent

Reading is the first step—practice cements the skill. Join a Red Cross–aligned course near you.

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This article is informational and does not replace certified training or medical advice. Always follow local protocols and your instructor’s guidance.

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Gyath Shammha
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