08/09/2026
Could they be choking?
Ask, ‘are you choking?' If they can breathe, speak, or cough, they might be able to clear their own throat.
Cough it out
Encourage them to cough and remove any obvious obstruction from their mouth.
Hit it out
If coughing fails, give five sharp back blows.
Help them to lean forwards, supporting their upper body with one hand. With the heel of your other hand, give them five sharp back blows between their shoulder blades.
After each blow, check to see if there’s anything in their mouth.
Squeeze it out
If back blows fail, give five abdominal thrusts.
Stand behind them and put your arms around their waist. Place one hand in a clenched fist between their belly button and the bottom of their chest.
With your other hand, grasp your fist and pull sharply inwards and upwards up to five times. Check their mouth again after each thrust.
⚠ If the blockage hasn’t cleared, call 999 for emergency help straight away. Repeat five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until help arrives, checking their mouth each time.
