How to Prevent an Unconscious Person From Choking

An unconscious person is more susceptible to choking because her normal, conscious responses (coughing or repositioning herself) are compromised. Any time you come upon an unconscious person, you should immediately call an emergency line (911) for medical help.

Things You'll Need

• Blanket, jacket or towel to support the head or cover the person
• Phone

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Instructions

How to Prevent an Unconscious Person from Choking

• 1

  Make sure the victim is unconscious by loudly asking "Can you hear me?"

• 2

  Call 911, or tell a specific person to call 911.

• 3

  Attempt to learn the cause of the victim's unconsciousness. Ask bystanders or look for a medical I.D. bracelet.

• 4

  Look for any signs of injury on and around the unconscious person.

• 5

  Check to see that the person is breathing normally.

• 6

  Loosen any tight clothing and cover the victim to keep her warm.

• 7

  Gently roll the unconscious person onto her side.

• 8

  Tilt the victim's head slightly downward and pull open her lower jaw.

• 9

  Rest the victim's hand under her head, or prop the head slightly with a pillow, jacket or blanket.

• 10

  Stay with the victim until medical help arrives.

How to Prevent an Unconscious, Non-Breathing Person from Choking

• 11

  Follow steps 1 to 6 on how to prevent an unconscious person from choking.

• 12

  Open the victim's mouth and look for anything that might be obstructing his breathing.

• 13

  Roll the person onto his back.

• 14

  Tilt the victim's head back and lift his chin to open his airway.

• 15

  Give two rescue breaths. Look to see if the victim's chest rises and falls with your breaths.

• 16

  Do a blind finger sweep (in adults only) for foreign objects by inserting your index finger into the victim's throat and moving it from one side to the other.

• 17

  Begin abdominal thrusts to remove any foreign object from the victim's airway.

• 18

  Continue the sequence of abdominal thrusts, finger sweep and rescue breaths until the object is expelled, the victim begins breathing or medical help arrives.

• 19

  Follow steps 6 to 10 on how to prevent an unconscious person from choking once you are sure the victim's airway is clear and he is breathing on his own.