Choking
Learn how to help someone who is choking.
Learning objectives
- Learn how to recognise when someone is choking
- Learn the key action to help when someone is choking
- Practise applying the key action to a known situation in a role play
- Share something creative to inform others how they can help someone who is choking
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Guidance regarding giving first aid in the current coronavirus situation can be found in our News section. Please always consider your own personal safety first when delivering first aid.
Amina is chatting with her friend Steph when she starts to choke. Steph steps in to help Amina.
nextIf a person is choking, what kind of noise would they be making to attract your attention?
Someone is choking, where should we give back blows?
Take action: If someone has is choking, give back blows.
Start OverClick on the link below to read the film transcript.
How to help someone who is choking
Step 1.
If somebody is choking, tell them to try to cough. They may be holding their chest or neck.
Step 2.
If they can't speak, breathe or cough, bend them forwards and give up to five back blows with the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades.
Step 3.
If they are still choking, give up to five abdominal thrusts. Stand behind them, join your hands together around their stomach and form a fist. Pull inwards and upwards.
If they are still choking tell an adult and call 999. Repeat the steps until they can breathe again, or until help arrives.
Can you help someone who is choking?
Learn
These activities help young people learn what to do when someone is choking.
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Choking – learn activity
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Choking – learner skill guide
Practise
These activities help young people practise how to help someone who is choking.
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First aid skill - practise activity ideas
0.1mb
Choking - practise role play
Share and remember
These activities help young people to remember the key actions and share their knowledge with others.
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Secondary guidance and support
This section includes curriculum links, a teacher and educator guide and everything you need to get started.