Paediatric First Aid

1. Choking – Child (over – 1 year)
Determine if the person can speak or cough. A cough
might clear the obstruction.
Back Slaps:
• Shout for help, Don’t leave the child.
• Bend the child over until the head is lower than the
chest.
• Use the palm of your hand to deliver a firm blow
between the shoulder blades.
• Repeat the blows up to five times, checking between
blows to see if the obstruction is cleared.
If the obstruction has not cleared try abdominal trusts

2. Choking – Child (over – 1 year)
Abdominal Thrust
• Stand or kneel behind the child. Wrap your arms around the waist.
Tip them forward slightly.
• Make a fist with one hand. Position it slightly above the child's
inwards.
• Grasp the fist with the other hand. Press hard into the abdomen
with a quick upward thrust – as if trying to lift the child up.
• Repeat up to five times. Checking to see if the blockage is dislodged.
If the obstruction is not cleared:
• Repeat step 1 and 2
• Ask someone to call 999 for an ambulance

3. Choking – Baby (Under – 1 year)
If possible, this procedure should be performed sitting or kneeling
down:
Back slap:
• Shout for help. Don’t leave the baby.
• Lay the baby over your arm, face down, legs either side of your
elbow with the head lower than the chest.
• Use your fingers, flat to deliver a firm blow between the shoulder
blades.
• Repeat the blows up to five times, check between blows to see if
the obstruction is cleared.
• If the obstruction had not cleared try chest thrust.

4. Choking – Baby (Under – 1 year)
Chest Thrusts:
• Turn the baby over by laying it on your other arm, so that
it’s chest is now facing you. Ensure the head is below the
chest.
• Using two fingers, give up to five chest thrusts – like chest
compressions, but sharper and performed at a slower
rate.
• Check between each thrust to see if the blockage is
dislodged.
If the obstruction has still not cleared
• Keep repeating step 1 and 2
• Ask someone to call 999 for an ambulance. Don’t stop the
treatment.