Airway
Choking — Adult, Child and Infant
For a person who cannot cough, speak or breathe, give 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades, then 5 chest thrusts, and alternate until the airway clears or they become unconscious.
For a person who cannot cough, speak or breathe, give 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades, then 5 chest thrusts, and alternate until the airway clears or they become unconscious.
Recognise choking
- Mild (effective cough): the person can still cough, speak or breathe. Encourage them to keep coughing.
- Severe (ineffective cough): silent cough, unable to speak or breathe, clutching the throat, lips turning blue. Act immediately.
Adult or child (over 1 year)
- Call 000 (or get someone else to).
- Lean the person forward and give up to 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Check the mouth after each.
- If the obstruction has not cleared, give up to 5 chest thrusts — same hand position as CPR but slower and sharper.
- Alternate 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts.
- If they become unconscious, lower carefully to the ground and start CPR.
Infant (under 1 year)
- Call 000.
- Lay the baby face-down along your forearm, head lower than chest, supporting the head and jaw.
- Give up to 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
- Turn the baby face-up and give up to 5 chest thrusts with 2 fingers on the lower sternum.
- Alternate until the airway clears or the baby becomes unresponsive — then start infant CPR.
Do NOT
- Do not put your fingers blindly into the mouth — you may push the object further in.
- Do not perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) — Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines use back blows and chest thrusts.
Questions & answers
What's the difference between mild and severe choking?
Mild choking — the person can still cough, breathe or speak; encourage coughing. Severe choking — they cannot breathe, cough or make sound; act immediately with back blows and chest thrusts.
Should I do the Heimlich manoeuvre?
Australian guidelines use back blows and chest thrusts, not abdominal thrusts (Heimlich). Give up to 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades, then up to 5 chest thrusts, alternating until the object clears.
How do I help a choking baby?
Lay the baby face-down along your forearm with the head lower than the body. Give up to 5 back blows, then turn over and give up to 5 chest thrusts with two fingers on the breastbone. Call 000 if it doesn't clear quickly.
Related topics
CPR — Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CPR is performed on anyone who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Use 30 chest compressions to 2 breaths at 100–120 compressions per minute, adjusting depth and technique for adults, children and infants.
DRSABCD Action Plan
The DRSABCD action plan is the Australian Resuscitation Council's seven-step primary survey for any emergency: Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillation.
Recovery Position
The recovery position protects the airway of an unconscious person who is breathing normally by keeping them on their side so the tongue cannot block the throat and fluids can drain.
Get certified
See all in Australia →Learn first aid hands-on from accredited educators near you.
Aid Angel Free Online Course
Learn first aid fundamentals at your own pace. Includes quizzes and a completion certificate.
Start free course →Keep going
First Aid Angel never replaces emergency services. In an emergency call 000 or your local emergency number first.
Crafted with a polished metal frame for strength, beauty, and permanence. The Love Key Guardian is a premium reminder that care is always close. NFC enabled and QR Coded for convenience.