Back Blows for a Conscious Adult or Older Child
When someone is choking and still conscious, the first move is five firm back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand. Position yourself to the side and slightly behind the person, support their chest with one hand, and lean them forward so the airway is angled downward. The blow should be sharp and deliberate, not a pat. Each strike is an attempt to dislodge the blockage through percussive force. If five back blows don't clear the obstruction, move immediately to abdominal thrusts. Do not wait to see if the person "seems okay." A partial airway blockage can become a total one in seconds.
