Choking

Summary

Food or small objects can cause choking if they get caught in your throat and block your airway. This keeps oxygen from getting to your lungs and brain. If your brain goes without oxygen for more than four minutes, you could have brain damage or die.

Young children are at an especially high risk of choking. They can choke on foods like hot dogs, nuts and grapes, and on small objects like toy pieces and coins. Keep hazards out of their reach and supervise them when they eat.

When someone is choking, quick action can be lifesaving. Learn how to do back blows, the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts), and CPR.

Treatments and Therapies

• Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Ready Reference American Red Cross
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• CPR for a Baby or Child American Red Cross
• CPR for Infants and Children American College of Emergency Physicians
• Emergency airway puncture – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
• First Aid: Choking Nemours Foundation
• Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Ready Reference American Red Cross
• Responding to a Choking Emergency American Academy of Pediatrics

Find an Expert

• American Red Cross American Red Cross

Patient Handouts

• Blockage of upper airway Medical Encyclopedia
• Choking – unconscious adult or child over 1 year Medical Encyclopedia
• Foreign object – inhaled or swallowed Medical Encyclopedia

Encyclopedia

• Choking – adult or child over 1 year Medical Encyclopedia
• Choking – infant under 1 year Medical Encyclopedia
• Emergency airway puncture Medical Encyclopedia
• Heimlich maneuver Medical Encyclopedia
• Heimlich maneuver on self Medical Encyclopedia

Start Here

• Choking — Heimlich Maneuver American College of Emergency Physicians
• Choking Prevention and Rescue Tips National Safety Council
• Choking: First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Choking and Strangulation Prevention Tips Safe Kids Worldwide
• Choking Prevention American Academy of Pediatrics
• Choosing Safe Toys Nemours Foundation
• Household Safety: Preventing Choking Nemours Foundation

Images

• Choking first aid – adult or child over 1 year – series — Part 1 Medical Encyclopedia
• Choking first aid – infant under 1 year – series — Part 1 Medical Encyclopedia

Children

• CPR: A Real Lifesaver (For Kids) Nemours Foundation

Journal Articles

• Choking