How to Save a Life: Steps to Take When Someone is Choking

Welcome to our latest blog post, brought to you by our team at the Active Assist HCS - CPR Training Center! We are dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to save lives, and today we’re diving into a critical topic: assisting someone who is choking. Knowing what to do in this frightening situation can make all the difference, so let’s get started.

Step 1: Encourage the Person to Cough

If the person is able to cough, encourage them to do so. Coughing is the body’s natural way to clear the airway.

Step 2: Call for Help

If coughing doesn’t work, and the person is unable to breathe, speak, or is making the universal sign for choking (placing hands around the throat), call for emergency assistance immediately.

Step 3: Perform Abdominal Thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver)

  1. Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their waist.

  2. Place a fist just above the person’s navel, grabbing it with your other hand.

  3. Perform quick, upward thrusts to force the object out.

Please note that for pregnant women or individuals with a large belly, you should perform chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.

Join Our Community: Are your family and friends equipped with the knowledge to save a life? CPR, AED, and First Aid certification are indispensable skills that everyone should have. We invite you to join our upcoming courses, refer someone, or explore our workplace training options.

Visit us at www.ActiveAssistHomeCare.com to learn more and become a part of our life-saving community.