Infant Choking Response Guide

QUICK CHECK:

• If baby is coughing or crying, monitor closely.

• If baby cannot breathe/cry/cough or is turning blue, intervene immediately.

IF CHOKING IS CONFIRMED, CALL FOR HELP:

• If alone, call 911 on speaker and then begin care immediately

• If others are around, yell out for someone to call 911 and then begin care immediately

GIVE 5 BACK BLOWS:

• Position baby face down on along your forearm, supporting their head/jawline with your hand

• Make sure baby’s head is the lowest part of their body

• Deliver 5 firm back blows between baby’s shoulder blades

GIVE 5 CHEST THRUSTS:

• Carefully place baby along your other forearm, facing up, supporting their neck/head

• Make sure baby’s head is the lowest part of their body

• Deliver 5 chest thrusts, using the heel of your open hand, in the center of baby’s chest

CONTINUE ALTERNATING BACK BLOWS & CHEST THRUSTS UNTIL:

• The object dislodges from the airway

• Baby starts to cough or cry

• EMS arrives

• Baby becomes unconscious (at which point you will immediately begin CPR)