Choking First Aid – What To Do for Adults, Children & Infants
Choking can happen anywhere — at home, restaurants, childcare centres, school, BBQs, and even in the workplace.
It is fast, silent, and extremely dangerous.
Knowing the correct First Aid steps can save a life before paramedics arrive.
Here’s a clear, WA-specific guide for responding to choking in adults, children and babies.
⭐ 1. How to Recognise Choking
✔ Mild (partial) blockage:
Person can cough
Can make noise
Can breathe a little
Face may be red or stressed
Encourage coughing and stay close.
✔ Severe (complete) blockage:
This is life-threatening.
Look for:
Silent, unable to speak
No air movement
Hands clutched to throat
Panicked expression
Turning blue or grey
Weak or no cough
This requires immediate action.
⭐ 2. First Aid for Choking – Adults & Children
✔ Step 1: Encourage coughing
If they can cough effectively — let them try to clear the blockage themselves.
✔ Step 2: 5 Back Blows
Stand behind and slightly to the side.
Use the heel of your hand.
Deliver 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades.
Check if obstruction is cleared each time.
✔ Step 3: 5 Chest Thrusts
Place your hands in the centre of the chest (similar location to CPR compressions).
Push sharply inward and upward.
Alternate:
5 back blows → 5 chest thrusts
Repeat until the blockage clears OR they become unresponsive.
✔ If the person becomes unresponsive:
Call 000 immediately
Start CPR
Continue until help arrives
Chest compressions can help dislodge the object.
⭐ 3. Choking First Aid – Infants (Under 1 Year Old)
Infants require a different technique because their anatomy is smaller and more fragile.
✔ Step 1: 5 Back Blows
Lay the baby face-down along your forearm
Support the head and neck
Deliver 5 gentle but firm back blows between the shoulder blades
Check if breathing returns.
✔ Step 2: 5 Chest Thrusts
If back blows fail:
Turn baby face-up
Use two fingers in the centre of the chest
Deliver 5 chest thrusts, slow and controlled
Alternate until the object is removed or they become unresponsive.
✔ If the baby becomes unresponsive:
Call 000 immediately
Begin infant CPR
Follow DRS ABCD steps
Babies can deteriorate quickly — speed matters.
⭐ 4. Common Causes of Choking in WA
Adults
Steak
Chicken
Large pieces of food
Alcohol-related choking
Hard lollies
Children
Grapes
Sausages
Nuts
Popcorn
Toys and small objects
Infants
Food that’s too big
Buttons, coins, beads
Small toy parts
Peas, carrot chunks
Teething objects
Prevention is always better than cure.
⭐ 5. When to Call 000 Immediately
Call for emergency help if:
Blockage doesn’t clear
Person becomes unresponsive
Breathing is abnormal
Infant is struggling
Severe colour change (blue/grey)
Coughing becomes weak
You are unsure
Operator will guide you through CPR if needed.
⭐ Training Helps You Stay Calm During Choking Emergencies
In our small, hands-on classes in Rockingham, we teach:
Adult choking first aid
Child choking response
Infant choking rescue
CPR for all ages
DRS ABCD
Real-life scenarios
You’ll leave knowing exactly what to do during a choking emergency.