I’m a first aid guru – here’s 3 things you should NEVER do if your child is choking

AS all parents are well aware, children are quick to get their hands on small objects.

And more often than not, a helpful adult is around to swoop in and stop said child from eating whatever inedible item they’ve managed to put in their mouth.

But sadly, thousands of children each year are still rushed to hospital after choking or swallowing something dangerous.

A team of medics, who specialise in baby and child first aid classes, have offered helpful advise on what not to do if a child is struggling – which could save their life.

In a video, posted to Instagram, first aider Nikki Jurcutz from Tiny Hearts Education, said “If what you should do isn’t second nature to you, it’s time to learn.”

1. Do not start choking treatment until you’ve called 999

It’s best to get this step out of the way as soon as possible, the experts explain.

“Call 999, putting the phone on speakerphone so your hands are free,” the NHS says on it’s website.

2. Do not stick your fingers in their mouth

Trying to retrieve the item trapped down your child’s throat may seem like the obvious thing to do when they’re choking.

“But getting the food out with your fingers could push it further down,” Nikki explained in a previous video – which makes it even harder to rescue the distressed child. 

3. Do not hang them upside down

It’s always dangerous to hold your baby upside down.

According to the Red Cross the action of tipping them upside down “may also move the object further down their throat”.

What to do if your child chokes

It’s a parents worst nightmare to imagine a situation in which they have to save their child from choking.

But in that moment, it may be you that will have to step up and perform first aid.

The NHS says if you can see an object lodged in your child’s mouth, take care to remove it because blindly poking at it could make things worse.

If the child is coughing, encourage them to continue as they may be able to bring the object up – don’t leave them.

If the coughing isn’t effective (it is silent or they cannot breathe properly), shout for help immediately.

If the child is still conscious, use back blows. 

First aiders at St John Ambulance give the following advice based on the child’s age.

Baby

1. Slap it out:

• Lay the baby face down along your thigh and support their head  
• Give five back blows between their shoulder blades  
• Turn them over and check their mouth each time  

2. Squeeze it out:

• Turn the baby over, face upwards, supported along your thigh 
• Put two fingers in the centre of their chest just below the nipple line; push downwards to give up to five sharp chest thrusts 
• Check the mouth each time  

3. If the item does not dislodge, call 999 or 112 for emergency help  

• Take the baby with you to call  
• Repeat the steps 1 and 2 until help arrives 
• Start CPR if the baby becomes unresponsive (unconscious)  

Child

1. Cough it out  

• Encourage the casualty to keep coughing, if they can 

2. Slap it out  

• Lean them forwards, supporting them with one hand 
• Give five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades 
• Check their mouth each time but do not put your fingers in their mouth  

3. Squeeze it out  

• Stand behind them with your arms around their waist, with one clenched fist between their belly button and the bottom of their chest 
• Grasp the fist in the other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards, giving up to five abdominal thrusts 
• Check their mouth each time  

4. Call 999 or 112 for emergency help if the object does not dislodge  

• Repeat steps 2 and 3 until help arrives 
• Start CPR if the person becomes unresponsive (unconscious)