Loading...
Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child who cannot cough, speak, or breathe effectively because something is blocking their airway.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cannot cry, speak, or cough — or only weak silent coughs.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — High-pitched wheezing or no sound at all when trying to breathe.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Panicked wide eyes, grabbing at throat, turning blue around lips.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Strong effective cough — encourage coughing and stay close. Intervene only if cough becomes weak or silent.
Scene hazards: Small objects within reach, High chair or unstable seating
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Kneel behind the child at their height. Ask if they are choking — if they cannot answer, act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tell someone to call 112, or call yourself if alone once you start rescue.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Support their chest with one hand and lean them forward.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Back blows: Up to 5 firm slaps between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Chest thrusts: If back blows fail, turn them to face you. Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest. Push inward sharply up to 5 times.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Alternate 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object comes out or they go limp.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If they become unresponsive — lay them down, call 112, start CPR. Look in the mouth only if you see the object clearly.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "Child choking — cannot breathe. I am doing back blows and chest thrusts."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tell them the child's age and what they were eating or playing with.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay on speaker so the operator can guide you.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Any child who needed choking rescue needs hospital evaluation — even if they seem fine afterward.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Unresponsive choking child needs CPR and emergency care immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT use abdominal thrusts on a child — use chest thrusts instead.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT slap their back if they are coughing forcefully.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT put your fingers in their mouth unless you clearly see the object.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Children use the same Heimlich technique as adults
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Children get chest thrusts, not abdominal thrusts, because their bodies are smaller and more easily injured.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Abdominal thrusts on a child can cause internal injury without clearing the blockage.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Children often choke on food ( grapes, nuts, candy) or small toys. A blocked airway stops oxygen reaching the brain within minutes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — For this guide, "child" means roughly 1 year old up to puberty. Infants under 1 year need different technique.