How to Treat a Conscious Choking Infant

A choking victim can't breathe, which deprives the brain of precious oxygen. Using the following technique could save a life.

Things You'll Need

  • First Aid Books
  • First Aid Kits
  • First Aid Classes
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Look for signs of choking: coughing for several minutes without stopping; inability to cough, cry or breathe; abnormally weak cough; a high-pitched wheezing sound.

    • 2

      Hold the infant, placing his or her front side along your forearm, stabilizing him or her by holding the face with your fingers.

    • 3

      Bend your knee, keeping the lower half of your leg perpendicular to the ground, and making a 45-degree angle between your lower and upper leg.

    • 4

      Place your forearm - the one that's holding the infant - against your upper leg.

    • 5

      Give five quick, sharp yet gentle blows to the infant's back, using the heel of your other hand. The blows should land between the infant's shoulder blades.

    • 6

      Transfer the infant to the other forearm so that his or her back is against it.

    • 7

      Place the forearm - the one that's holding the infant - against your upper leg, with your other leg in the same position as before.

    • 8

      Give five quick yet gentle thrusts with your middle and index fingers together on the center of the infant's breastbone.

    • 9

      Repeat the back-blow-and-chest-thrust cycle until the object is dislodged and the infant can breathe again.

First Aid - Related Articles