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What to do when someone is choking

A multigenerational family sit down for a meal as an older woman adds another dish to the table.

Feb. 9, 2026— If you've ever had something stuck in your throat, you understand how scary that feels—and for good reason. Without rapid assistance, choking can become serious, even fatal.

Choking happens when a person's airway is blocked, either partially or completely, by food or some other foreign body. As a result, oxygen can't get to the lungs, heart, brain or any other part of the body.

If more than four minutes go by without oxygen to the brain, the person can suffer permanent brain damage or die, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. But with quick action, you can be a lifesaver.

What to do

Know the signs of choking. Whether they are a child or an adult, a choking person may:

  • Have a surprised or frightened expression.
  • Place their hands on their throat.
  • Make squeaking sounds.
  • Look flushed at first. But if their skin turns pale or bluish, they aren't getting enough oxygen.

Call 911. If someone is with you, have them call 911. If you're helping the person alone, first try to clear the person's airway, then call for help.

Use the updated guidelines. In 2025, the American Heart Association (AHA) published new guidelines that advise using a sequence of back blows followed by abdominal thrusts.

To assist adults and children:

  1. With the heel of your hand, give the person five firm blows between their shoulder blades.
  2. Then give the person five upward and inward abdominal thrusts. (You might know this as the Heimlich maneuver.)
  3. Repeat the sequence until the person can speak, cough or cry. If a choking person becomes unresponsive, you'll need to start CPR after calling 911. It's a good idea to receive updated CPR training. Our quick guide to hands-only CPR is a good refresher too.

For infants, the sequence is a little different:

  1. Place the infant face-down on top of your forearm. Use your thigh for support.
  2. The infant's head should be lower than their body.
  3. Deliver five firm back blows as instructed above.
  4. Turn the infant face-up on your forearm, keeping their head lower than their body.
  5. Deliver five chest thrusts using the heel of your hand.
  6. Repeat until the object is expelled. If the infant becomes unresponsive, start infant CPR right away.

What not to do

Don't search the mouth. According to the revised guidelines, inserting your fingers into a choking person's mouth to remove a foreign object can do more harm than good.

And while mechanical devices can help a choking person breathe, they are best left to trained medical professionals, says the AHA.

Sources

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