Chapter 8 Play It Safe! 159
Choking
If the victim can’t speak or breathe,
perform the abdominal thrust. It can save
the life of a person who is choking. The
abdominal thrust is shown in 8-11. If you are
choking and no one is around to help, you
can perform the maneuver on yourself. This
maneuver should not be used with infants
and small children. It can harm them. There
is a special method used to stop choking in
infants and small children.
You can learn more about the abdomi-
nal thrust and other first aid measures by
taking a course. Local Red Cross chapters,
fire departments, and hospitals offer first
aid courses. They will teach you how to
handle emergencies. You can learn how
to stop bleeding and do rescue breathing.
They also can certify you to do CPR.
8-11 8-11
Depending on the situation, back blows or abdominal thrust is used when a Depending on the situation, back blows or abdominal thrust is used when a
person is person is choking.choking.
Make sure
Adult: Child: Infant:
Infant:
Copyright © 2011 by The American National Red Cross
Resource: Don’t Choke on These Words, Activity D, WB.