AHA releases new technique to relieve choking just in time for the holidays!

To prepare for choking emergencies during the holidays, reduce choking hazards by being mindful of decorations and high-risk foods. If someone is choking, perform 5 back blows followed by 5 abdominal thrusts for adults and children, or 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts for infants. If the person becomes unresponsive, immediately call 911 and begin CPR with chest compressions, checking the airway for the object after compressions. 

Choking prevention 

  • Be mindful of decorations: Keep small decorations, especially from new or unfamiliar setups, away from young children.

  • Avoid high-risk foods: Don't give high-risk foods like nuts, popcorn, and hard candies to toddlers. 

Choking relief for conscious individuals 

  • Adults and children (over 1 year):

    • Encourage the person to cough forcefully if they can speak or cough.

    • If they can't breathe or speak, stand behind them, wrap your arms around their waist, and deliver quick, upward abdominal thrusts.

    • For pregnant individuals or those who are obese, perform chest thrusts from behind instead.

    • Alternate between 5 back blows and 5 abdominal/chest thrusts until the object is expelled.

  • Infants (under 1 year):

    • Support the infant face-down on your forearm with their head lower than their chest. (Gravity is your friend for this technique.)

    • Give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.

    • Turn the infant over on their back and give 5 chest thrusts using two fingers on the center of the chest just below the nipple line.

    • Alternate between back blows and chest thrusts until the object is expelled or the infant becomes unresponsive. 

If the person becomes unresponsive

  • Call 911 immediately.

  • Start CPR:

    • Begin with chest compressions.

    • Place the heel of your hand in the center of the chest.

    • Perform compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute.

    • For infants, use the modified compression technique with only two fingers.

  • Check the airway: After each cycle of compressions, check the mouth for any visible object and remove it if it's easy to reach without pushing it further down.

  • Continue CPR: Continue compressions until help arrives or the person begins to breathe on their own. 

Kelly Sparks