Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (Choking)
General BLS framework, consistent with AHA Guidelines 2025 · Last reviewed: Jul 2026
1
Decision
Adult/large child, conscious, severe obstruction (unable to speak/cough effectively, stridor, cyanosis)?
Mild (still coughing/speaking) → encourage cough, no manual intervention, monitor closely.
2
Severe obstruction, conscious patient: alternate 5 back blows with 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich), repeat until object is expelled or patient becomes unconscious.
3
Decision
Patient becomes unconscious?
Yes → lay down, begin CPR. Each time you open the airway for rescue breaths, inspect the mouth and remove the object if visible (no blind finger sweep).
For infants <1 year, technique differs (back blows + chest thrusts, not abdominal thrusts) — separate algorithm in the Pediatric section.