In short:

1. Check the person is choking
2. Perform 5 back blows (check in between if they’re okay)
3. Perform 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
4. Alternate back blows and abdominal thrusts until it resolves
5. If the person stops breathing perform CPR

Full Instructions:

<aside> <img src="/icons/gradebook_gray.svg" alt="/icons/gradebook_gray.svg" width="40px" /> If you are practising for an OSCE, use the checklist below when marking your friends. If you are practising alone, record yourself with your phone and mark it after.

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<aside> <img src="/icons/exclamation-mark_gray.svg" alt="/icons/exclamation-mark_gray.svg" width="40px" /> Scenario: You suspect a person (adult) is choking, these are the steps you take to help:

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• [ ] Ask them if they’re choking and allow them to cough → Sometimes this resolves the choking

If coughing doesn’t help, follow the steps below ⬇️

• [ ] Give 5 back blows: Hit them firmly between the shoulder blades
  • [ ] Technique: Use the palm of your hand when striking the person’s back & stabilise the person with the other hand on their shoulder (see image below)
  • Back blows picture
  • [ ] Between each blow → Look at their face to see if the choking has resolved

If choking doesn’t resolve after 5 back blows, resort to abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) ⬇️

• Technique:

Alternate between back blows and abdominal thrusts until the choking resolves.

• [ ] If the choking does not resolve and the patient stops breathing and falls unconscious perform CPR → See CPR page for further instructions.

NOTE: When done in a real-life situation, ribs may get fractured, but you would rather fracture the ribs than die from choking.