First Aid
   

Adults and Children over 1 year.   |   (Click here for Infants)

  • If the victim can speak or cough forcefully and is getting sufficient air, do not interfere with attempts to cough obstruction out of the airway.
  • If the victim cannot speak or is not getting sufficient air, have someone call 911 while you perform abdominal thrusts as follows:
  •    Stand behind the victim and wrap your arms around the waist (A)
       - Make a fist with one of your hands and place it just above the victim's navel
       and below the ribs with the thumb and forefinger side toward you
       - Grab this fist with the other hand and pull it quickly back and slightly upward
       - Repeat until the victim breathes or becomes unconscious

  Back  |  Back to Index

If the Victim Becomes Unconscious

  • Lay the victim on his or her back
  • Check for object in the mouth. Try to sweep obstruction out of the victim's throat (C). If the victim is a child, sweep only if you can see it.
  • Even if you are unsuccessful, tip the head back and attempt rescue breathing.
  • If rescue breathing is not working due to obstruction, sit straddling the victim's thighs and give up to 5 abdominal thrusts (pushing into the victim with the heel of the hand just above the belly button).
  • Repeat sequence as needed.

.