HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Phone 111 immediately if the person who is choking can't breathe, talk, or cough, or if they become unconscious.
If they stop breathing, start CPR for children and adults or for babies.
Choking happens when something – often food – becomes stuck in a person's windpipe. This makes it difficult, or impossible, to breathe air in.
Someone who is choking will have difficulty breathing and talking. They may be using hand signals to point to their throat. Their skin may be pale or turning blue. They will be showing distress.
Continue giving back blows and chest thrusts until either the object has come out or an ambulance arrives. If they stop breathing start CPR for children and adults or for babies.
Stand behind the person, wrapping your arm around their chest. Make a fist with one hand.
Place your fist with the thumb side against their breastbone.
Grasp your fist with your other hand and give a quick inwards thrust.
This video shows you what to do if a baby is choking.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
Information about what can cause choking, and how to help someone who is choking.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created December 2016.
Review key: HIFAD-141030