During a conscious choking incident on board, what is a recommended step for a trained responder?

During a conscious choking incident on board, what is a recommended step for a trained responder?

• A. Wait for medical professionals before acting.
• B. Provide only back blows and not abdominal thrusts.
• C. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) if trained and not pregnant; seek help and back blows if unable.
• D. Give water to help clear the airway.

Answer: (C)

When someone is conscious and choking, you act right away to clear the airway with a maneuver that forces air from the lungs to push the obstruction out. For a trained responder who is dealing with an adult who is not pregnant, performing abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) is the most effective choice because it rapidly increases airway pressure from below, often dislodging the blockage. If you’re unable to perform abdominal thrusts—such as with a pregnant person or if the technique can’t be done safely—switch to an alternative method and call for help. In that case, applying back blows and seeking assistance while continuing to attempt relief helps ensure the obstruction is addressed from different angles and you don’t delay getting medical support. Giving water isn’t appropriate because it can push the object deeper or cause aspiration, and waiting for medical professionals before acting isn’t advised when you’re trained to intervene promptly. Providing back blows alone isn’t sufficient for a conscious choking adult, since abdominal thrusts are the key maneuver to create the necessary pressure to relieve the obstruction.

When someone is conscious and choking, you act right away to clear the airway with a maneuver that forces air from the lungs to push the obstruction out. For a trained responder who is dealing with an adult who is not pregnant, performing abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) is the most effective choice because it rapidly increases airway pressure from below, often dislodging the blockage. If you’re unable to perform abdominal thrusts—such as with a pregnant person or if the technique can’t be done safely—switch to an alternative method and call for help. In that case, applying back blows and seeking assistance while continuing to attempt relief helps ensure the obstruction is addressed from different angles and you don’t delay getting medical support.

Giving water isn’t appropriate because it can push the object deeper or cause aspiration, and waiting for medical professionals before acting isn’t advised when you’re trained to intervene promptly. Providing back blows alone isn’t sufficient for a conscious choking adult, since abdominal thrusts are the key maneuver to create the necessary pressure to relieve the obstruction.