Articles
Foreign object inhaled: First aid
To perform abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) on someone else
To perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself
Content
When to seek emergency help
Treatment
Child and adult
If the person who has inhaled an object isn't conscious:
To give abdominal thrusts to someone else:
Pregnant person or someone you can't get your arms around
Yourself
If you're alone and choking:
To perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself
Content
When to seek emergency help
Treatment
Child and adult
If the person who has inhaled an object isn't conscious:
To give abdominal thrusts to someone else:
Pregnant person or someone you can't get your arms around
Yourself
If you're alone and choking:
If the person who has inhaled an object isn't conscious:
- Lower the person onto the floor, with the back on the floor and arms to the sides.
- Clear the airway. If you can see the object, reach a finger into the mouth to sweep out the object. Never finger sweep if you can't see the object. You risk pushing the blockage deeper into the airway. This is a high risk with young children.
- Begin CPR if the person still doesn't respond. If the airway is still blocked, press on the chest as is done in CPR to remove the stuck object. If the airway is clear and you give rescue breaths, only use two rescue breaths per cycle. Keep checking the mouth for the object.
Some sources only teach the abdominal thrust. It's OK not to use back blows if you haven't learned how to give back blows. Both ways can work for adults and children older than age 1.
