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If someone needs immediate help with object stuck in airway, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person who swallowed or inhaled a small object — button battery, bead, coin, or toy piece — and now has throat pain, coughing, wheezing, or trouble breathing.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Cannot breathe — choking rescue. Can breathe — call 112, stay upright, do not probe throat.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Complete blockage: Cannot speak, cough, or breathe — use choking rescue immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Partial blockage: Can breathe but has persistent cough, wheeze, drooling, or feeling of something stuck.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Button battery swallowed: Drooling, vomiting, chest or belly pain — emergency even if breathing seems okay.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Child who suddenly refuses to eat or drink after playing with small items.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A small object may be lodged in the throat, windpipe, or esophagus. Some objects (especially button batteries) cause chemical burns within hours.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Partial blockage — person can breathe and cough but feels something stuck. Complete blockage — silent choking, treat as P0 choking.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ask: "Can you breathe and speak?" — determines choking rescue vs. urgent call.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If severe choking — start back blows and appropriate thrusts for their age.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If breathing — call 112 and identify the object if possible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep them sitting upright and calm — lying flat can worsen breathing.
When and how to get professional help.
Button batteries, magnets, or complete blockage need emergency care within minutes to hours.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not blind finger sweeps or home remedies. Distinguish between partial blockage (can breathe) and complete choking.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "Small object stuck in airway/throat" and name the object if known.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — For button battery: "Child swallowed a button battery — need emergency care now."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Describe breathing status, age, and time since ingestion.
Useful questions before or while you help.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give bread, banana, or other food to "push it down."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT blindly finger-sweep the throat.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT assume a swallowed coin will pass safely without medical advice — size and location matter.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed by emergency services.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If they can still breathe, the object will pass on its own — just wait
Other scenarios in the same family.
Infant choking
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An infant under 1 year who cannot cry, cough, or breathe because something is blocking their tiny airway.
Child choking
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child who cannot cough, speak, or breathe effectively because something is blocking their airway.
Adult choking
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An adult who is clutching their throat, cannot speak or cough effectively, and is struggling to breathe because something is blocking their airway.
Self-rescue choking
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You are choking on food or an object and no one is nearby to help. You must try to dislodge it yourself or call for help immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Look in the mouth only if they are old enough and you can see the object clearly — swipe it out with a finger. If not visible, do not probe.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — For button battery — tell 112 immediately. Do not wait.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Monitor breathing continuously — partial blockage can become complete.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Button batteries and magnets in the airway or esophagus are emergencies — hospital removal within hours.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Any persistent foreign body sensation, worsening cough, or breathing difficulty needs imaging and professional removal.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Some objects cause swelling, infection, or burns over time. Button batteries can erode tissue within 2 hours.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Waiting turns a removable object into a life-threatening injury.