The American Red Cross (ARC) is a trusted humanitarian organization that provides disaster relief, blood services, and evidence-based first aid and emergency response training. One of its core roles is publishing first aid guidance used in workplaces, schools, and community settings across the United States.
For choking emergencies, the American Red Cross teaches age-specific, step-by-step actions for assisting a conscious person with a blocked airway. These instructions reflect long-standing Red Cross training and align with current international first aid consensus recommendations.
What to Do If a Conscious Person Is Choking
If the person is coughing forcefully, encourage continued coughing.
If the person cannot cough, speak, or breathe:
- Send someone to call 9-1-1.
- Lean the person forward and deliver five back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.
- Give five abdominal thrusts by placing the thumb side of your fist just above the navel and grasping it with your other hand.
- Alternate five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive.
Infant Choking Guidance
For infants, the Red Cross teaches five back blows followed by five chest thrusts.
Abdominal thrusts are not used on infants.
Important Notes
- This choking first aid sequence has been taught by the American Red Cross for many years and is not a newly introduced change.
- There is no official public health notice stating that existing choking posters in New York City are invalid.
- Always follow the most current guidance provided during accredited first aid training and by local emergency authorities.
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