If you think someone is choking, ask him or her ‘are you choking?’

If they can breathe, speak or cough, then they might be able to clear their own throat. If they cannot breathe, cough, or make any noise, then they need your help straight away.

1. Call for help – Shout for assistance. Ask someone to call 999 or 112 (or be ready to call yourself
2. Encourage coughing – If they can cough, encourage it. Remove any visible obstruction from their mouth. If coughing fails to work, give them 5 sharp back blows.
3. Give back blows (up to 5) – Help them to lean forwards, supporting their upper body with one hand. Using the heel of your other hand, give them 5 sharp blows between their shoulder blades. After each back blow, check their mouth and remove any visible object.
4. Give abdomonal thrusts (up to 5) – If back blows fail to clear the obstruction, stand behind them and wrap your arms around their waist. Mae a fist and place it between their belly button and the bottom of their chest. Grasp your fist with your other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards, up to 5 times. After each thrust, check their mouth and remove any visible obstruction.
5. If the blockage does not clear, call 999 or 112 immediately.
6. Repeat five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until help arrives – check their mouth each time.
7. If they become unresponsive at any point, start CPR (chest compressions).

This short video demonstrates the key steps to help someone who is choking, including how to give back blows and abdominal thrusts safely. Watch it to understand what to do in an emergency.