Health Tip: Choking First Aid

(HealthDay News) -- Thousands of Americans die each year from choking. The American Red Cross describes first aid to help prevent this type of death:

  • Give five back blows. To do so, bend the person forward at the waist and give five back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of one hand.
  • Give five abdominal thrusts. To do so, place a fist against the middle of the person's abdomen. Cover your first with your other hand. Give five quick, upward abdominal thrusts.
  • Continue sets of five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until the object is forced out, the person can cough or breathe, or the person becomes unconscious.

    • If a choking person becomes unconscious, call 911 immediately.

    Date Published: 10/11/2019 12:00:00 AM

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