Choking first aid: what to do for an adult, child or baby

Someone is choking and cannot breathe. Below: what to do right away, what next, when to call 112 and what to avoid. The same instructions are in the free SurvivalZone app and work without internet.

Open in the app (works offline)

First, right now

Ask: "Are you choking?" If the person can cough, encourage them to keep coughing. An effective cough is the best way to clear the blockage.
If they cannot cough, speak or breathe: lean them forward, support their chest and give up to 5 sharp blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
If that does not work, give up to 5 abdominal thrusts: stand behind them, put a fist between the belly button and the bottom of the breastbone, grasp it with your other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards. Keep alternating 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts.

Then

If the object has not come out after the first round, call 112 (or get someone to) and keep alternating back blows and abdominal thrusts.
Baby under 1 year: lay the baby face down along your forearm, head lower than the body, supporting the jaw. Give 5 back blows. Then turn the baby onto its back and give 5 chest thrusts with two fingers on the lower half of the breastbone.
Child over 1 year: as for an adult, but adjust your force. Kneel behind a small child.
If the person becomes unresponsive: lay them on their back, make sure someone is calling 112 and start CPR (chest compressions).
Anyone who has had abdominal thrusts must be checked by a doctor, even if they feel fine.

When to call 112

The person cannot cough, speak or breathe, turns blue or becomes unresponsive. See a doctor after any abdominal thrusts.

What not to do

Do not do blind finger sweeps in the mouth. You can push the object further in. Only remove what you can clearly see.
Do not hit the back of someone who is coughing effectively.
Do not give abdominal thrusts to a baby.
Do not give them anything to eat or drink.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know someone is choking?

They suddenly cannot speak or cough, clutch their throat, breathe noisily or not at all, and may turn blue. It usually happens while eating.

Can I use the Heimlich manoeuvre on a baby?

No. For a baby under 1 year, give 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts with two fingers. Do not press on the abdomen.

When should someone see a doctor after choking?

Always after abdominal thrusts, and whenever coughing, pain or breathing difficulty continues, because part of the object may still be in the airway.

Keep it on your phone

SurvivalZone is a free app for every emergency, with no account and no app store. It works without internet and shows the nearest shelters and help points, local radio, a 72-hour plan and a mountain trip planner.

Open the SurvivalZone app

Thank you for reading. If this could help someone, send it to the people you care about. Getting ready takes a moment, and in a crisis every minute counts.

Coming soon: the app’s permanent address will be survivalzone.app.

Other scenarios

Sources

Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-10-22.

General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.