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Choking Rescue for a Child (Over 1 Year of Age)

Step-by-Step

  1. Child grabbing at their throat with both hands while choking.

    Look for signs of choking.

  2. A "no" symbol over close-up of child’s face, showing that sound isn’t coming out of their mouth.

    Call 911 if the child can’t talk, cough, or breathe.

  3. Child’s back with area between shoulder blades highlighted.

    Give back blows between the shoulder blades.

  4. Adult kneeling behind child, supporting chest with one hand and the other hand raised above child's back and arrow pointing toward child's back.

    Use the heel of your hand to give 5 back blows.

  5. Two sets of hands: one set with hand in front of fist, showing side of fist with little finger, and other set with hand grasping fist.

    Make a fist and grasp it with your other hand.

  6. Child’s front torso with area just above belly button and below breastbone highlighted.

    Give thrusts between the belly button and breastbone.

  7. Adult kneeling behind child, with arms around child’s waist, hands grasped against child’s belly, giving upward thrusts into belly.

    Give 5 upward thrusts into the belly.

  8. Object flying out of child’s open mouth.

    Repeat these steps until the object pops out.

Online Medical Reviewer: Liora C Adler MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN
Date Last Reviewed: 2/1/2025
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