Choking First Aid: How to Save a Life

Choking can happen in an instant—during a meal, while laughing with food in your mouth, or when a child swallows a small object. It’s a frightening emergency, but the good news is this: with the right skills, you can help save a life. At Northern Nevada CPR, our American Heart Association–approved classes in Reno and across Northern Nevada teach you how to respond with confidence during choking emergencies.

How to Recognize the Signs of Choking

A person who is choking may:

• Be unable to speak or cry out

• Gasp or make high-pitched noises

• Clutch their throat (the universal choking sign)

• Have bluish lips or skin (low oxygen)

• Appear panicked or distressed

• Lose consciousness if the blockage is not cleared

If the person is still able to cough or breathe forcefully, encourage them to keep coughing—do not intervene yet. If they cannot breathe, cough, or speak, it’s time to act.

Choking Rescue for Adults and Children (Over 1 Year Old)

1. Ask if They’re Choking – If they nod yes and can’t speak, act quickly.

2. Call 911 – Get emergency responders on the way immediately.

3. Perform the Heimlich Maneuver (Abdominal Thrusts):

   
   

   • Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their waist.

   • Make a fist and place it just above the belly button.

   • Grasp your fist with your other hand.

   • Deliver quick, upward thrusts until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive.

Choking Rescue for Infants (Under 1 Year Old)

Do not use abdominal thrusts on infants. Instead:

1. Call 911 Immediately

2. Give Back Blows and Chest Thrusts:

   
   

   • Hold the baby face-down on your forearm, supporting the head and neck.

   • Deliver 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades.

   • If the object doesn’t come out, turn the infant face-up.

   • Use two fingers to give 5 chest thrusts just below the nipple line.

   • Alternate 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the airway is clear or help arrives.

If the Person Becomes Unresponsive

• Lower them gently to the ground.

• Begin CPR (chest compressions and rescue breaths) immediately.

• Check the mouth before giving each breath and remove the object only if it’s clearly visible and easy to grasp.

• Continue CPR until the person recovers or emergency medical responders take over.

What NOT to Do During a Choking Emergency

• Do not slap the person on the back while they’re upright.

• Do not put fingers in the mouth unless you can clearly see and safely remove the object.

• Do not “wait it out” if the person cannot breathe or speak—act fast.

Be Prepared: Take a CPR & Choking Rescue Class in Reno

Choking emergencies are frightening, but with calm, fast action, you can save a life. Whether it’s an adult choking at the dinner table or a child swallowing a toy, knowing what to do makes all the difference.

At Northern Nevada CPR, we offer hands-on First Aid and CPR training in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and across Northern Nevada. Our classes include choking rescue techniques for adults, children, and infants, giving you the confidence to act in any emergency.

Contact Northern Nevada CPR today to schedule on-site CPR and First Aid training and be prepared to save a life.