How to Help Someone Choking: Easy Steps

Every word of the Short

Someone is choking. Here's how you get it out. Hands on the throat. No sound. No air. Ask, "Are you choking?" Coughing hard? Let them cough. Stay right there. Can't cough, talk or breathe? Act now. Don't dig in their mouth with your fingers. You can push it deeper.

One. Yell, "Call 911!" Keep helping while they call.

Two. Stand to the side, a bit behind them. Lean them forward.

Three. Five firm hits between the shoulder blades. Use the heel of your hand.

Four. Stand behind them. Make a fist just above the belly button. Grab your fist with your other hand.

Five. Pull in and up. Quick and strong. Five times.

Six. Still stuck? Five hits, five pulls. Again and again. Stop when they cough, talk or cry. Small kid? Kneel down behind them. Pregnant? Or too big to hug? Push on the chest instead. They pass out? Lower them to the floor. Start CPR. All alone and choking? Call 911 anyway. Can't talk? Leave the line open. Help still comes. Then push your own fist in and up. Or lean hard over a chair back or a counter. Dealing with babies is a different technique, but this one is for kids and grown-ups. Say it with me. Five hits. Five pulls. Again. Follow UhOhToons to live.