Step 1 of 6 · now
If choking and still conscious
Stand behind. Fist above the navel, other hand over it. Hard inward-up thrusts until the object comes out or they go unconscious. If they can cough hard, let them cough.
1 h to careBuddydelayed
Life threat — do the NOW steps before anything else.
When this applies · do not
- Not breathing, gasping, or making snoring sounds
- Unconscious and on their back
- Choking — cannot cough, speak, or breathe
- Face trauma with blood in the mouth
Red flags
- No breathing and no pulse: start chest compressions if the scene is safe and you are not under fire
- Penetrating neck or face: jaw thrust, recovery position, do not dump water in the mouth
Do not
- Do not do a head-tilt if you think the neck is broken — use a jaw thrust.
- Do not put an NPA in if there is major face or head trauma, or if it will not pass easily.
- Do not do blind finger sweeps in a choking adult.
- Do not leave an unconscious person on their back if they are breathing and you must step away.
Field aid tool — not a diagnosis, not a medic, not your unit’s official protocol. When a trained medic or doctor is there, follow them.