In order to prevent things escalating into something with devastating consequences, it is vital you know exactly what to do when your tot does start to choke.
Step one: Access the situation
- If your child is coughing and gagging it is likely that their airway is only partially blocked. In this case encourage them to cough to help dislodge the object.
- If they are unable to cry, cough or speak then it is a sign that their airway is completely blocked.
Step two: Call 999
- If they are struggling to breathe get someone to call 999 immediately.
- If you are on your own do two minutes of back blows before calling for an ambulance.
Step three: Give them five back blows
- Place your child over one of your arms to offer them support.
- With your free arm, hit them firmly on their back between their shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
- Repeat this five times.
Step four: Give them five abdominal thrusts
- Hold your child around the waist.
- Put one hand in a fist shape, placing the thumb side against the middle of their abdomen, just above their belly button.
- Place your other hand over it and give five quick thrusts upwards and inwards to separate and dislodge the object.
- Continue to alternate between five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until the ambulance has arrived.
