What should you do if an adult is choking and cannot breathe?

• A. Apply back blows to attempt dislodging the object
• B. Check pulse for 60 seconds
• C. Apply a cold compress to the chest
• D. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) until the object is dislodged or the person becomes unresponsive

Answer: (D)

When someone is choking and cannot breathe, the priority is to clear the airway quickly. The Heimlich maneuver, or abdominal thrusts, does this by creating a rapid rise in chest and airway pressure, which usually forces the obstruction out.

To perform it, stand behind the person, wrap your arms around their waist, place one fist just above the navel with the other hand grasping that fist, and deliver quick, upward thrusts. Keep up the thrusts until the object is dislodged or the person can breathe, cough, or talk again. If the person becomes unresponsive, lower them to the ground and begin CPR, calling for emergency help if you haven’t already.

Back blows are not the standard first aid for an adult choking, and other actions like checking a pulse or applying a cold compress won’t relieve the blockage.