🫁 Men's Health
Choking: First Aid Guide
What to do when someone can't breathe — for adults, children, and infants
Choking occurs when food or another object blocks the airway. If the blockage is complete, the person cannot speak, cough, or breathe — and will lose consciousness within minutes without intervention. Knowing how to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre (abdominal thrusts) can save a life in seconds. This is a skill every adult Nigerian should have.
Signs and Symptoms
✓ Mild choking (partial blockage): can speak, cough, or make sounds — encourage coughing; do not intervene
✓ Severe choking (complete blockage): cannot speak, cough, or breathe; may be clutching the throat; face turning red then blue (cyanosis); silent or making high-pitched noise
✓ In an infant: cannot cry or make sound; weak or silent breathing; face changing colour
✓ The person may lose consciousness if choking is not relieved — then begin CPR
When to Seek Help
Severe choking — the person cannot speak or breatheAct immediately — do not wait. Perform abdominal thrusts. Call for help simultaneously.
After successful relief of chokingAny person who choked severely should be seen by a doctor — especially if they lost consciousness, or if you suspect the object may still partially obstruct the airway.
Child suspected to have inhaled an objectEven after appearing to recover, a partially inhaled object can cause breathing problems later. See a doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do the Heimlich manoeuvre on a pregnant woman?
Yes — but use CHEST thrusts, not abdominal thrusts. Place your hands higher than usual — on the lower half of the breastbone (sternum), not the abdomen. The same position as CPR chest compressions.
What foods are most dangerous for children?
The highest-risk foods for choking in children under 5: whole groundnuts and peanuts; hard sweets and boiled sweets; chunks of carrot, apple, or raw vegetable; grapes (always halve them); popcorn; large pieces of meat. Always supervise mealtimes. Cut food into small pieces and insist children sit to eat.
Should I do back blows before abdominal thrusts?
Current guidelines recommend alternating 5 back blows with 5 abdominal thrusts. Some guidelines in some countries lead with abdominal thrusts. The combination is the key — alternate until the object is cleared.
If someone is choking and alone at home, how do they call for help?
On iPhone: triple-press the side button to call emergency services. On Android: press and hold the power button. Siri/Google Assistant can be activated by voice ('Call emergency'). Try to move to where a neighbour can see you or shout for help while performing self-rescue thrusts.
Is the Heimlich manoeuvre the same as CPR?
No — the Heimlich manoeuvre (abdominal thrusts) is used to clear a blocked airway in a conscious choking person. CPR is used when a person is unresponsive and not breathing. If a choking person loses consciousness, stop Heimlich and begin CPR.