Choking - Abdominal thrusts

1. Abdominal thrusts may be given to a choking conscious child above one year.
2. Stand or kneel behind the child. Place your arms under the child's arms and encircle their body.
3. Clench your fist and place it midway between the navel and the xiphoid process (the bottom tip of the breastbone) you must not place your fist on the edge of the breastbone because pressing on it can cause injury to the underlying organs.
4. Grasp your fist with your other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards.
5. Repeat up to five times. The aim is to relieve the obstruction rather than to give all five. Take care not to press on the xiphoid process (the bottom tip of the breastbone) or the rib cage because this can cause injury. If the object is still lodged, repeat the sequence of back blows and chest thrusts (infant) or abdominal thrusts (child). If you have not called for help, do it now but do not leave the child alone. Rush the child to the nearest health facility if no help is available.

Attribution: Avallain

See also:

• Signs of choking
• Coughing child
• Back blows
• Chest thrusts

Illustrations

• How to give abdominal thrusts to a young child
• How to give abdominal thrusts to an older child