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Foreign object inhaled: First aid

If you or your child inhales a foreign object, see your healthcare professional. If an inhaled foreign object causes choking, you’ll need to perform first aid.

To prepare yourself for these situations, learn the Heimlich maneuver and CPR in a certified first-aid training course.

If you’re the only rescuer for someone who’s choking give back blows and abdominal thrusts first. Then call 911 or your local emergency number for help. If another person is there, have that person call for help while you give first aid.

If you’re alone and choking, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Then, give yourself abdominal thrusts, also called the Heimlich maneuver, to remove the stuck object.

Child and adult

If a choking person can cough forcefully, let the person keep coughing.

Coughing might naturally remove the stuck object.

If a person can’t cough, talk, cry or laugh forcefully, give first aid to the person.

The American Red Cross recommends the following steps:

If you’re the only rescuer, give back blows and abdominal thrusts first. Then, call 911 or your local emergency number for help. If another person is there, have that person call for help while you give first aid.

If the person who has inhaled an object becomes unconscious:

Some sources only teach the abdominal thrust. It’s OK not to use back blows if you haven’t learned the back-blow technique. Both approaches are acceptable for adults and children older than age 1.

To give abdominal thrusts to someone else:

If the person is pregnant or if you can’t get your arms around the stomach, give chest thrusts:

If you’re alone and choking:

Call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Then, give yourself abdominal thrusts, also called the Heimlich maneuver, to remove the item from the airway.

© 1998-2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.

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