What Do you Do If Someone’s Choking?
Hello again!
If you read my first blog, you’ll know that I promised practical advice, myth-busting, and stories from the training room.
Well, never one to break a promise, I wanted to start with some clear, simple steps so you can take in some of the most common emergencies.
Because real-life emergencies don’t wait for you to feel ready, they just happen, and when they do, knowing what action to take can make all the difference.
We’re going to run a series of “First Aid in Focus” blogs, in which we will cover everything from CPR, choking and asthma attacks, to burns and those “OH HECK!” moments that catch people off guard.
My aim is to strip away the jargon and give you advice you can remember for when it really matters.
So, without further ado, let’s kick off with – Choking.
We’ve all been there, taking a bite a little too quickly, laughing at the wrong moment, or underestimating that extra spiky crisp.
Usually, a good cough will sort it out, but sometimes it doesn’t, and that’s when knowing what to do really matters.
Here is what to do if someone is choking:
What to Do in 5 Steps – Adults & Children (over 1 year)
- Encourage coughing – if they can.
- Back blows – up to 5 sharp strikes between the shoulder blades, leaning them forward.
- Abdominal thrusts – stand behind, make a fist just above the belly button, pull in and up sharply.
- Keep alternating 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the blockage clears or help arrives.
- If they become unconscious, start CPR immediately.
Babies (under 1 year) 3 Steps
Babies are a little different — NO abdominal thrusts!
- Back blows – baby face down across your thigh, support the head, up to 5 sharp blows between the shoulders.
- Chest thrusts – turn them over, use two fingers in the centre of the chest (or if you have been First Aid trained, use the encircling technique), up to 5 thrusts.
- Repeat until clear, or until help arrives. If they become unresponsive, start CPR.
Choking is one of those things that can happen anywhere at any moment, and you don’t want to panic; you want the confidence that you know what action to take.
This folk’s is the very heart of what we do at Prima Cura Training.
We are giving people the skills and the knowledge to Act Fast, Not Freeze.
So, if you take anything away from reading this, let it be…
✅Don’t wait!
✅Don’t panic!
✅You absolutely CAN make a difference.
Engage, Educate, Empower
We cover how to recognise & treat choking as standard in all of our First Aid courses, including our Emergency First Aid, First Aid at Work, Paediatric First Aid, and OFSTED & EYFS courses.
Contact us to find out how we can help you gain the skills to save a life
Written by Stephanie Austin – Founder & Lead Trainer, Prima Cura Training
Stephanie Austin has over 25 years’ experience in health and social care and nearly 20 years teaching first aid. She holds the full TAQA suite of qualifications. She is a CAVA assessor and works alongside FAIB, Qualsafe, and other recognised awarding organisations. All guidance is aligned with current UK legislation and professional standards.
Read more about Stephanie’s qualifications and professional background here.
Last reviewed; 11th February 2026
Reviewed against: HSE guidance, Resuscitation Council UK 2025 updated guidance (effective January 2026)
Disclaimer: The information shared here reflects current UK guidance at the time of writing and is for educational purposes only, not a replacement for professional training or medical advice.
