CHOKING IN ADULTS

Choking is a preventable cause of death that occurs when food or another object gets stuck in the throat. The airway gets blocked and immediate action is needed. The person typically only has a few minutes before they pass out. The universal sign of choking is holding the neck with one or both hands.

Choking can be mild or severe. Table 1 will help determine whether it is mild or severe.

DEGREE OF OBSTRUCTION RESPONSIVENESS RESCUERS ACTIONS
Mild Obstruction
  • Breathing but may also be wheezing
  • Coughing and making noise
  • Stay with the person, try to keep them calm
  • Encourage them to cough
  • Call 911/EMS if the person does not clear the obstruction or seems to be getting worse
Severe Obstruction
  • Clutching the neck (universal sign of choking)
  • Weak or no cough
  • Unable to make noise or talk; may make high-pitched noise
  • Little or no breathing
  • Appears cyanotic (blue around lips and fingertips)
  • Use abdominal thrusts to attempt to remove the obstruction
  • Call 911/EMS
  • Begin CPR if person becomes unresponsive

Table 1

Figure 18:
Abdominal Thrusts

RELIEF OF CHOKING

Abdominal Thrusts for Adolescents and Adults

  1. Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their waist under the ribcage (Figure 18a).
  2. Put your fist above the person’s navel in the middle of the belly (Figure 18b).
  3. With your other hand, hold the first fist and press forcefully into the abdomen and up toward their chest (Figure 18c).
  4. Continue performing thrusts until the obstruction is relieved or until the person becomes unresponsive. If the person becomes unresponsive, begin CPR.

Very large persons or pregnant women can be treated with chest thrusts. In this case, do the following:

Wrap both arms around the person. Pull your arms straight back to deliver the chest thrusts.

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