Solid Starts Toddler Rescue Choking First Aid CPR 3

Toddler Rescue:
Choking First Aid

& CPR
For children 12 months and older
@SolidStarts | SolidStarts.com
© Solid Starts Inc. 2022. All Rights Reserved. 1
Toddler Rescue:
Choking First Aid & CPR
While choking is uncommon, it is a situation that requires caregivers to act extremely fast. Within
minutes, choking can lead to permanent brain damage or death, so it is extremely important that
choking first aid is administered quickly and effectively.1
It is important to understand that while many choking incidents in toddlerhood involve food, nearly
half involve objects the child picked up and put in their mouth. Take care to keep small objects,
including marbles, batteries, coins, nut shells, and small toy parts out of your child’s reach.
This will require you to regularly get down on the floor to view your home from your child’s eye level
and push food and objects back on counters, desks, and tables out of reach.
It is vitally important that all caregivers know how to administer choking first aid for the specific
age of the child. In instances of choking, time is of the essence, and it is imperative to determine
the situation and act fast. 2,3,4 See pages 7-9 for the various choking scenarios that will determine
your actions. Caregivers will have to administer abdominal thrusts and back blows immediately
and if needed, CPR. One cannot wait for emergency help to arrive in person. If your country
recommends chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts, or any recommendation that differs from
ours, please follow your country’s specific guidelines.
Disclaimer
The opinions, advice, suggestions, and information presented in this article are for informational purposes only and are not a
substitute for professional advice from or consultation with a pediatric medical or health professional, doctor, primary medical
provider, nutritionist, or expert in feeding and eating (“Health Care Providers”). Never disregard professional medical advice or
delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen here.
These pages have been created with typically developing toddlers in mind, 12 months and older. The information is generalized
for a broad audience. Your child is an individual and may have needs or considerations beyond generally accepted practices.
If your child has underlying medical or developmental differences, including but not limited to: prematurity, developmental delay,
hypotonia, airway differences, chromosomal abnormalities, craniofacial anomalies, gastrointestinal differences, cardiopulmonary
disease, or neurological differences, discuss the child’s choking first aid plan with their primary medical provider.
This guide does not intend to replace a choking first aid certification program. The information compiled within this guide
is sourced from various governing medical bodies, including the American Heart Association and the Red Cross.
Solid Starts recommends parents and caregivers take choking first aid certification programs. Choking first aid programs are
available through the Red Cross. Additional resources are available at solidstarts.com.
Solid Starts is not engaged in rendering professional advice, whether medical or otherwise, to individual users or their children
or families. No content in this article, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your
Health Care Providers. By accessing the content on SolidStarts.com and in this article, you acknowledge and agree that you are
accepting responsibility for your child’s health and well-being. In return for Solid Starts providing you with the information in this
article, you waive any claims that you or your child may have as a result of utilizing the content in this article. Your use of the
content in this article is also subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use for solidstarts.com. Always seek the advice of
your Health Care Providers with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, capacity for starting solid food
and choking first aid plan.
Emergency Reference
We strongly encourage you to print the visuals for emergency rescue for your refrigerator or wall.
In an instance of choking, you will not have time to Google what to do. You’ll need to start performing
emergency rescue right away while calling Emergency Services. Having a visual reminder of the
techniques can be very helpful.
It is also a good idea to keep the following information on the refrigerator or wall for caregivers.
Knowing a child’s height and weight can help emergency personnel on the phone evaluate which
rescue methods may be best for your child.
Emergency rescue number:

(e.g., 9-1-1)
Child’s date of birth:

(e.g., June 19, 2020)
Child’s weight:
(e.g., 40lbs as of July 1, 2022)
Medical history:
(e.g., heart issues, food allergies, seizures, etc.)
Caregiver Training
Knowing how to perform choking first aid is extremely important. Every second counts when a child
is choking. Ensure that every caregiver you leave your child with is trained in choking rescue first
aid and CPR. Take a moment to write down every caregiver your child is alone with and the date in
which they were last trained. Include all parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family members,
babysitters, nannies, day care workers, health care workers, and school personnel. Don’t forget to
include yourself.
If a caregiver is not trained in rescue, schedule a time to practice together as soon as possible.
Watching a video is not enough; to really perfect the technique, you must go through the
physical motions.
Date of Last Choking Date of Last

Name of Caregiver
First Aid Training CPR Training
Choking Facts
Choking accounts for about 5% of all accidental deaths among 1- to 4-year-olds in the United States
each year, or about 62 incidents each year. This translates to about 35 cases per year of food-related
choking events and about 27 cases per year of non-food-related choking events.5 In other words,
56% of fatal choking incidents involved food—and 44% didn’t involve food at all.
Nonfatal choking episodes are much more prevalent yet extremely difficult to calculate.
It is estimated that about 4,700 1- to 4-year-olds are treated in US emergency departments each
year due to concern for non-fatal food-related choking events.6,7 There are particular factors known
to increase the risk of choking.8,9,10,11 These include:
• Food or object characteristics—small, firm, round, slippery, challenging-to-chew
• Physical activity, including crawling, walking, jumping, or running while eating
• Crying
• Lack of supervision
• Male gender of a child
Choking vs. Gagging

It is important to remember that choking is not gagging. True choking is when the airway
is obstructed, and the child is having trouble breathing.12,13
Retching, coughing, or crying:

let child keep trying. Leo (6 months) gags on small particles
of broccoli on his tongue.
Panicked, silent, or wheezing:

child’s not breathing.
Adie (12 months) gags on a small piece of bread.
Gagging is a natural protective reflex that results in the contraction of the back of the throat. It is a
natural function and protects us from choking. When this happens, it’s important to let the child work
the food or object forward on their own. Refrain from sticking your finger in their mouth, which can
push the object further down the throat, making the situation worse. See Gagging vs. Choking.
Signs of a Child Choking Can Include...
Mild airway obstruction:
• Able to breathe
• Able to generate a strong cough
• May wheeze in between coughs
• Taking shallow or fast breaths
• Anxious or agitated
Severe airway obstruction:
• Inability to speak, make noise, or cry

• Difficulty breathing
• Skin tugging or sucking into the chest
• Look of terror, clutching throat
• High-pitched sounds
• Weak or silent cough
• Skin color changes (ranging from blue to purple to ashen-like)
What to do if Your Child is Choking
How one responds to a choking incident depends on a number

of factors. Please see the scenarios on the following pages to
understand which rescue protocol is appropriate for the situation.
Responding to a Choking Incident
Scenario #1: Child is coughing or able to make noise.
If a child is having difficulty breathing but can cough and make sounds,
this is most consistent with a mild airway obstruction.
1 Make sure that the child is leaning forward.
2
Encourage child to cough. A cough is
better than abdominal thrusts or back blows
Do not slap child’s back.
3 Call Emergency Services (e.g., 9-1-1) if the

food or object completely blocks the airway.
Do not place your finger into the child’s mouth to try and remove
the piece of food or object. You can inadvertently push the object
deeper into airway.
Do not slap child’s back. This can also inadvertently move the
object deeper into the airway.
Do not give child anything to eat or drink while they are coughing.
Scenario #2: Child is silent & cannot cough but is alert.
If a child is having difficulty breathing and cannot talk/make sounds and is

silent but alert, this is consistent with a severe airway obstruction.
Ask the child, “Are you choking?” “Is something stuck in your throat?”
1 If the child responds and is able to talk, see scenario #1 and

encourage the child to cough. If the child is unable to respond or
cough, move on to step 2.
2
Have someone call Emergency Services (e.g., 9-1-1).
If you are alone, call Emergency Services on
speakerphone while continuing to next step.
3 Place child in a forward-leaning position.
Administer up to 5 forceful back blows
4
with the heel of your open hand in between
the child’s shoulder blades, directed upward
towards the child’s mouth. If the child is
small or not able to stand, you can also lay
them face down along your forearm or lap.
See page 10 for more on back blows.
5
If 5 back blows are unsuccessful, proceed
with 5 abdominal thrusts. Use quick, inward
and upward thrusts. See page 11 for more
on abdominal thrusts.
6
Repeat steps 4 and 5 until airway is cleared or child becomes non-
responsive or unconscious. If the child becomes non-responsive
or unconscious, administer CPR. See page 12 for more on CPR.
Scenario #3: Child is unconscious or not responsive.
If a child is unconscious or not responsive, start CPR.
1 Carefully place the child on a firm, flat surface.

Do not do pulse check.
2 Shout for help or dial Emergency Services (e.g., 9-1-1)

on speakerphone while continuing to next step.
3
Open child’s mouth. If object is clearly visible
and within reach, remove it. Do not place finger
in child’s mouth if you do not see anything.
4
Begin CPR. Place the heel of
one hand in the center of child’s
chest. Push down 2 inches (5 cm)
deep 30 times in 15-18 seconds.
Administer 2 rescue breaths. Open child’s mouth
5
by tilting their head back slightly and lifting
up their chin. If you can see the food or object,
remove it before administering any breaths.
Breathe into the child’s mouth for about one
second. Look for chest rise. Repeat.14,15
6
Repeat steps 4 and 5 until help
arrives or until object is dislodged.
See page 12 for more on CPR.
How to Perform Back Blows
Toddlers 12 months and older
1 If the child is in a seat, remove them.
2
Place child in a forward-leaning position.
If child is small or not able to stand,
you can also lay them face down along
your forearm or on your lap.
With the heel of an open hand,
3 apply up to 5 forceful blows in between

the child’s shoulder blades, directed
upward towards the child’s mouth.
Back blows help dislodge an object by
creating vibration in the airway.
If the child starts coughing, If back blows are unsuccessful,

stop back blows, but keep them proceed with abdominal thrusts.
leaning forward to see if they
can dislodge the food or object
on their own.
How to Perform Abdominal Thrusts
Abdominal thrusts involve quick manual thrusts to the upper abdomen (commonly known as the
Heimlich Maneuver), which aim to create a rapid increase in intrathoracic pressure (artificially
mimicking a cough) when an object is obstructing the airway. It is important to practice proper
technique. Excessive force can damage the child’s ribs and/or internal organs.16
1 Kneel behind the child.
2
Place a clenched fist thumb side
down in between the child’s belly
button and their lower rib cage.
3 Wrap your other hand

around the clenched fist.
4 Administer quick thrusts in

an inward and upward motion.
Do not lift child off the floor.
5 Repeat 5 times, or alternate with back blows, until airway is cleared.17

If the child becomes non-responsive or unconscious, stop and
administer CPR.
How to Perform CPR
If the piece of food or object cannot be dislodged in a timely fashion, a child can go into cardiac
arrest where the heart stops beating. Without a functioning heart, important organs like the brain
stop receiving blood and oxygen. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure
that aims to keep blood flowing to the brain and rest of the body until Emergency Services arrives.
It is paramount to know the steps of CPR for children.
1 Carefully place the child on a firm,

flat surface. Do not do pulse check
(doing so may waste precious time).
2 Place the heel of one hand in

the center of the child’s chest.
3 Give 30 compressions. Push down

hard and fast about 2 inches (5cm) deep,
30 times in 15-18 seconds.
Administer 2 rescue breaths. Open child’s
4
mouth by tilting their head back slightly and
lifting up their chin. If you can see the food
or object, remove it before administering any
breaths. Breathe into the child’s mouth for
about one second. Look for chest rise. Repeat.
5 Repeat steps 3 and 4 until help arrives

or until object is dislodged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get a device like the LifeVac or Dechoker?

The LifeVac and Dechoker are examples of commercial manual suction devices (airway clearance
devices) that aim to relieve airway obstruction. These devices are not meant to replace choking
first aid (abdominal/chest thrusts and back blows), but rather to be used as an intervention when
traditional choking first aid measures have failed. To date, these devices have not been approved
by the FDA and have not been recommended by any credible organization as an adjunctive
treatment option to be used at any stage of choking first aid.18
However, a recently published abstract examined the use of LifeVac in 16 children ranging from
11 months to 13 years in age (mean age 3.3 years) who were choking on a wide range of items,
including bread, candy, carrots, coin, fruit, ham, hot dogs, mucus, peanut butter, plastic, popcorn,
and tuna. All items were successfully cleared from the airway and there were also no serious side
effects reported.19 While more studies are needed, this study seems promising.
It may be worthwhile to consider investing in an airway suction device like a LifeVac in the event
that choking first aid is unsuccessful. Again, these devices are not meant to replace choking first
aid but rather be used as an intervention when traditional choking first aid measures have failed.
Do not purchase these devices in lieu of learning choking first aid (abdominal/chest thrusts and
back blows). Even if you own and use an airway clearance device, it is crucial for parents and
caregivers to pursue formal training in pediatric first aid that includes choking rescue and CPR.
Are back blows still a good first step in rescuing a toddler?

Yes, back blows can be a great first step when performing choking first aid in a toddler if performed
at the right time and done correctly. Back blows are the first intervention recommended by the
United States and British Red Cross.20, 21
What kind of force should we be using with abdominal thrusts and back blows?
This depends on the child’s size and build and the rescuer’s own strength. A smaller child will
require less force than a larger child. In general, back blows should be firm, not a light pat, but
also not so hard that the child is injured. For the abdominal thrusts, organ and or rib injury can
occur if too much force is exerted or if the maneuver is done incorrectly.22 It is best to take an
in-person child first aid class so you can practice with supervision and receive feedback or
corrections from the instructor.
What if the toddler can’t stand? How do you do abdominal thrusts?

If your toddler cannot stand, you can place them in your lap in a seated position facing forward.
If your child is in a wheelchair, they can remain in the wheelchair—be sure to put the brakes on
and lean your child forward. Alternatively, if your toddler is small and you feel comfortable,
you can perform infant choking first aid.
The 12–24-month stage is an especially risky time for most toddlers given their size and
developmental abilities. Ensure all caregivers are up to date on toddler first aid (perhaps
even take a refresher course) and talk with the child’s primary care physician regarding any
particular circumstances, as every child is unique.
What if my toddler is 12 months and only 16 lbs—should I use back blows
or abdominal thrusts?
It is important to remember that nothing magical changes in a child’s anatomy when the child turns 12
months. Smaller toddlers and toddlers who cannot comfortably stand may benefit from infant choking
first aid. Along the same lines, very tall caregivers may want to continue infant first aid steps for their
young toddlers.
In general, the most effective choking first aid is the intervention that the rescuer feels comfortable
performing. If you do not know how to perform abdominal thrusts but feel comfortable administering
back blows and chest thrusts, perform the latter.
When would you intervene with gagging?

Gagging is safe and expected. It’s often best not to intervene when a child is gagging.
However, coaching is encouraged, especially when a child gags repeatedly in one sitting.
• Use a soothing tone to help the child remain calm.
• Tell the child what you see: “I saw that. You’re working on that food.”
• If applicable, coach the child to take smaller bites or slow down, or finish chewing
and swallowing before taking another bite.
• If the child continues shoveling, consider moving the remaining food out of reach
while they work on a bite to ensure they don’t shovel in more food before they finish
chewing and swallowing.
• If the child continues to gag from the size or texture of the food, consider modifying
it to be smaller or a bit softer.
• Do not put your fingers in the child’s mouth or try to pull out the food unless the child
asks for your help.
For more on gagging vs. choking, see our Gagging page.
I took infant CPR and choking first aid—what changes for toddlers?
Infant and toddler choking first aid are quite different. Choking first aid for infants is a combination
of back blows with the infant facing head down on your lap and chest thrusts with the infant
laying face up in your lap. For toddlers, it is generally recommended to perform a combination of
back blows and abdominal thrusts (or in some instances chest thrusts) while they are standing.
Strongly consider taking a child first aid class in person where an instructor can give you real-time,
in-person feedback.
How effective are abdominal thrusts? How effective are back blows?
Unfortunately, there is no intervention that can resolve an airway obstruction with 100% efficacy.
In general, the most effective choking first aid is the intervention that the rescuer feels comfortable
performing.
Is toddler rescue advice different for each country? (Is your advice universal?)
In general, toddler rescue is quite universal although there are subtle differences. For example,
the American Red Cross recommends alternating back blows and abdominal thrusts whereas the
American Heart Association recommends no back blows and just abdominal thrusts. Additionally, in
Australia and New Zealand, chest thrusts are performed instead of abdominal thrusts. It is important
to remember that both mechanisms generate increased thoracic pressure that help expel the
lodged object. The reason for these variations is that, unfortunately, there is no perfect or full-proof
intervention. It is best to always check with your local guidelines.
What is the exact position of the hand for abdominal thrusts? Are your knuckles
supposed to touch the belly?
Position your closed fist in between child’s ribs and belly button with your thumb side down.
Your knuckles should be facing upwards.
How can I avoid my toddler getting upset at mealtime and holding their breath
or sucking in food?
If possible, try to prevent meltdowns before they happen rather than managing in the moment.
• Consider spending 5-10 minutes connecting with your toddler prior to mealtimes. This helps
introduce some calm before the meal and allows you to check-in on your child’s mood before
coming to the table.
• Employ a consistent mealtime schedule to avoid over-snacking, which can cause boredom and
disinterest at meals, or having big time gaps between meals, which can cause your child to be
overly hungry.
• If the child needs to move or is having a difficult time focusing on the meal, use the rule,
“Food stays at the table but your body doesn’t have to.” This helps avoid tantrums and allows
the child freedom to move before returning to the table to focus and participate in the meal.
• Avoid tickling while eating or playing games where the child might be startled.
Are toddler towers safe for meals?

Depends on the toddler. If a toddler can stand without support, is not moving—i.e., jumping up
and down, climbing in and out of the tower, bracing themselves, or leaning over the sides—and is
well supervised, then towers can be suitable. However, most toddlers will only stand still for a few
minutes—or even seconds—at a time. Rather than offering meals in a toddler tower, consider using
the toddler tower for snacks or tasting while preparing food.
If your toddler needs a standing tower to eat most meals, reconsider your mealtime schedule to
make sure the child comes to meals hungry and allow ample opportunities for movement throughout
the day. For more on mealtime seating for toddlers, see our High Chair Transitions guide.
How to stop a toddler from laughing at the meal?
Laughing is not necessarily an unwanted behavior at mealtimes. Sharing a meal with others fosters
conversation, storytelling, and some laughs. However, laughing with a mouthful of food can be
dangerous—inhaled food can become lodged into the airway. Continue to foster a positive and
enjoyable eating environment and redirect any situation to avoid the danger of laughing with a
mouthful of food:
• Avoid tickling your toddler while eating.
• De-escalate stories or conversations if the child gets overly excited.
Simply say: “Okay that was really funny but let’s settle down while we finish eating.”
• Discourage talking with a mouthful of food.
• Encourage appropriate bite size and discourage your child from stuffing food into their mouth.
• Foster a calm environment at the table with minimal distractions.
• If a child starts laughing, encourage them to pause in their eating or to tilt their head forward
and spit out their food.
My child choked before. How to ease anxiety?

It’s normal to feel anxiety at the table after a choking event. It’s perfectly acceptable to offer easy-
to-chew foods for a few days to help ease your fear and rebuild confidence. If your toddler seems
stressed, talk about it with them:
• Describe what happened: “We were eating and something went down the wrong way.”
• Include how it felt: “That was startling for us both!”
• Describe the outcome: “Then I helped you get it out by pushing on your belly. You are safe.”
Re-telling a story over and over helps release the fear and anxiety over what happened, especially
when you include the positive outcome. Additionally, try taking active steps to calm your body
before the meal—consider mindfulness exercise, notice your heart rate and breathing, and actively
take slow deep breaths. Remind yourself that you knew how to respond and keep your child safe.
References
1
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2015). Responding to a Choking Emergency. HealthyChildren.Org. Retrieved 2022, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/
health-issues/injuries-emergencies/Pages/Responding-to-a-Choking-Emergency.aspx
2
Nolan, J. P., Maconochie, I., Soar, J., Olasveengen, T. M., Greif, R., Wyckoff, M. H., Singletary, E. M., Aickin, R., Berg, K. M., Mancini, M. E., Bhanji, F., Wyllie, J., Zideman,
D., Neumar, R. W., Perkins, G. D., Castrén, M., Morley, P. T., Montgomery, W. H., Nadkarni, V. M., . . . Hazinski, M. F. (2020). Executive Summary: 2020 International
Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment
3
Basic Life Support. (2020). American Heart Association. ISBN: 978-1-61669-799-0
4
Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization. (2017). American Heart Association. ISBN: 978-1-61669-553-8
5
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Underlying Cause of Death 1999-2020 on CDC WONDER Online Database, re-
leased in 2021. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2020, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital
Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html on Mar 6, 2022
6
Chapin, M. M., Rochette, L. M., Annest, J. L., Haileyesus, T., Conner, K. A., & Smith, G. A. (2013). Nonfatal Choking on Food Among Children 14 Years or Younger in the
United States, 2001–2009. Pediatrics, 132(2), 275–281. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-0260
7
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2002). Nonfatal Choking-Related Episodes Among Children—United States, 2001. JAMA, 288(19), 2400. https://
doi.org/10.1001/jama.288.19.2400-jwr1120-2-
8
Phinizy, P. A. (2020). (2020). Foreign Body Aspiration: The Role of the Pediatric Pulmonologist. Diagnostic and Interventional Bronchoscopy in Children, 317–331.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54924-4_25
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Eren, E., Balci, A. E., Dikici, B., Doblan, M., & Eren, M. N. (2003). Foreign body aspiration in children: experience of 1160 cases. Annals of Tropical Paediatrics,
23(1), 31–37. https://doi.org/10.1179/000349803125002959
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Chapin, M. M., Rochette, L. M., Annest, J. L., Haileyesus, T., Conner, K. A., & Smith, G. A. (2013). Nonfatal Choking on Food Among Children 14 Years or Younger in
the United States, 2001–2009. Pediatrics, 132(2), 275–281. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-0260
11
Sidell, D. R., Kim, I. A., Coker, T. R., Moreno, C., & Shapiro, N. L. (2013). Food choking hazards in children. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology,
77(12), 1940–1946. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2013.09.005
12
Basic Life Support. (2020). American Heart Association. ISBN: 978-1-61669-799-0
13
Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization. (2017). American Heart Association. ISBN: 978-1-61669-553-8
14
Choking: First aid. (2020). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-choking/basics/art-20056637
15
American Red Cross Training Services. (2022). How to Perform Child and Baby CPR. Red Cross. https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/performing-cpr/child-baby-cpr
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17
18
Nolan, J. P., Maconochie, I., Soar, J., Olasveengen, T. M., Greif, R., Wyckoff, M. H., Singletary, E. M., Aickin, R., Berg, K. M., Mancini, M. E., Bhanji, F., Wyllie, J., Zideman,
D., Neumar, R. W., Perkins, G. D., Castrén, M., Morley, P. T., Montgomery, W. H., Nadkarni, V. M., . . . Hazinski, M. F. (2020b). Executive Summary: 2020 International
Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. Circulation, 142(16_suppl_1).
https://doi.org/10.1161/cir.0000000000000890
19
Gal, L. L., Pugliesi, P., & Peterman, D. (2021). Resuscitation Of Pediatric Choking Victims Using The Lifevac, A Novel Portable Non-Powered Suction Device:
Worldwide Results. Pediatrics, 147(3), 412–413. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.147.3MA4.412b
20
Red Cross. (2022). First aid for a child who is choking. British Red Cross. https://www.redcross.org.uk/first-aid/learn-first-aid-for-babies-and-children/choking-
child#:%7E:text=1.,enough%20to%20dislodge%20the%20blockage.
21
American Red Cross Training Services. (2022). How to Perform Child and Baby CPR. Red Cross. https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/performing-cpr/child-baby-cpr
22
By:
Kimberly Grenawitzke, OTD, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC, CNT
Rachel Ruiz, MD Board-Certified General Pediatrician & Pediatric Gastroenterologist
Last updated: October 4, 2022
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Toddler Rescue:

Choking First Aid

Emergency rescue number:

Child’s date of birth:

Date of Last Choking Date of Last

Choking vs. Gagging

Retching, coughing, or crying:

Panicked, silent, or wheezing:

Mild airway obstruction:

Severe airway obstruction:

• Inability to speak, make noise, or cry

What to do if Your Child is Choking

How one responds to a choking incident depends on a number

1 Make sure that the child is leaning forward.

3 Call Emergency Services (e.g., 9-1-1) if the

If a child is having difficulty breathing and cannot talk/make sounds and is

1 If the child responds and is able to talk, see scenario #1 and

3 Place child in a forward-leaning position.

Administer up to 5 forceful back blows

If a child is unconscious or not responsive, start CPR.

1 Carefully place the child on a firm, flat surface.

2 Shout for help or dial Emergency Services (e.g., 9-1-1)

Administer 2 rescue breaths. Open child’s mouth

1 If the child is in a seat, remove them.

With the heel of an open hand,

3 apply up to 5 forceful blows in between

If the child starts coughing, If back blows are unsuccessful,

1 Kneel behind the child.

3 Wrap your other hand

4 Administer quick thrusts in

5 Repeat 5 times, or alternate with back blows, until airway is cleared.17

1 Carefully place the child on a firm,

2 Place the heel of one hand in

3 Give 30 compressions. Push down

Administer 2 rescue breaths. Open child’s

5 Repeat steps 3 and 4 until help arrives

Should I get a device like the LifeVac or Dechoker?

Are back blows still a good first step in rescuing a toddler?

What if the toddler can’t stand? How do you do abdominal thrusts?

When would you intervene with gagging?

Are toddler towers safe for meals?

My child choked before. How to ease anxiety?

Last updated: October 4, 2022

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