First Aid Red Cross Child Choking Poster

Care for a Choking Child	
1
3
2	
If the child cannot speak, cough, or breathe or is making high-pitched noises, 
immediately begin care for choking.
Alternate between any two of the following methods until the object comes out: 
back blows, abdominal thrusts, and chest thrusts.
Continue providing care until the object comes out or the child begins to 
breathe or cough. If the child becomes unresponsive, call EMS/9-1-1 and begin 
CPR, starting with chest compressions.
BACK BLOWS  
•     
Place your arm across the child’s chest.
•      
Bend the child forward and deliver up to 5 
firm blows between the shoulder blades.
ABDOMINAL THRUSTS
•      
Place your fist just above the belly button.
•      
Give up to 5 quick, inward and upward 
thrusts.
CHEST THRUSTS 
•      
Place your fist in the middle of the child’s 
chest with your thumb facing inward, and 
place your other hand over your fist.
•     
Give up to 5 chest thrusts by pulling 
straight back.	
The information in this poster does not replace formal  
First Aid & CPR training. 
Contact us to find a Red Cross First Aid course in your 
area and download our free First Aid app:
myrc.redcross.ca  |  1.877.356.3226  |  redcross.ca/apps