The document describes several scenarios involving individuals choking and provides guidance on how to respond. In one scenario, a father and son visit a construction site office to pick up a paycheck. While the father talks to the boss, the son eats candy and begins choking. A bystander who knows first aid is asked how they should respond. The suggested response is to first ask the son if he can speak, and if not, perform abdominal thrusts, also called the Heimlich maneuver, and call for emergency help if needed. Similar scenarios involving a manufacturing workplace and warehouse are described with the same recommended first aid steps.

1. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking
Scenarios

2. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
SCENARIO SLIDE SCENARIO SLIDE
Arts, Entertainment and
Recreation Scenario 1
3 Transportation and
Warehousing Scenario 1
16
Construction Scenario 1 6 Transportation and
Warehousing Scenario 2
20
Manufacturing Scenario 1 9 Utilities Scenario 1 23
Manufacturing Scenario 2 13 Wholesale Trade Scenario 1 26
Table of Contents

3. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
Joe and his 5-year-old son Josh went to the production site to pick up his
paycheck. While Joe and his boss chatted, Josh went to get a treat from the
candy jar on the producer’s desk.
As Joe gets ready to leave the office, he calls out for Josh. As Josh runs toward
his dad with a mouth full of candy, he begins coughing. Suddenly, Josh stops
coughing and looks panicked.
You know first aid and happen to be in the room.
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
2. How would you provide care?
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
Scenario 1
3

4. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
a. Ask him if he can speak.
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
Scenario 1 Answer
4

5. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
Scenario 1 Answer
5
2. How would you provide care?
a. If the child cannot speak, give abdominal thrusts
1. Kneel or stand behind him and reach around his abdomen.
2. Locate his navel with a finger from 1 hand.
3. Make a fist with the other hand and place the thumb side of the fist against his
abdomen, just above the navel.
4. Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust inward and upward into his
abdomen with quick thrusts.
5. Continue thrusts until he expels the object or becomes unresponsive.
6. If he becomes unresponsive, direct the boss to call 9-1-1.
7. Give CPR. Lower him to the ground, expose his chest, place the heel of 1
hand on the center of his chest and start CPR with 30 chest compressions.
Look inside the mouth each time you open the airway to give breaths, and
remove any object seen.

6. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
Joe and his 5-year-old son, Josh, went to the construction foreman’s office to
pick up his paycheck. While Joe and his boss chatted, Josh went to get a treat
from the candy jar on the foreman’s desk.
As Joe gets ready to leave the office, he calls out for Josh. As Josh runs toward
his dad with a mouth full of candy, he begins coughing. Suddenly, Josh stops
coughing and looks panicked.
You know first aid and happen to be in the room.
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
2. How would you provide care?
Construction
Scenario 1
6

7. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
a. Ask him if he can speak.
Construction
Scenario 1 Answer
7

8. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
Construction
Scenario 1 Answer
8
2. How would you provide care?
a. If the child cannot speak, give abdominal thrusts:
1. Kneel or stand behind him and reach around his abdomen.
2. Locate his navel with a finger from 1 hand.
3. Make a fist with the other hand and place the thumb side of the fist against his
abdomen, just above the navel.
4. Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust inward and upward into his
abdomen with quick thrusts.
5. Continue thrusts until he expels the object or becomes unresponsive.
6. If he becomes unresponsive, direct the boss to call 9-1-1.
7. Give CPR. Lower him to the ground, expose his chest, place the heel of 1
hand on the center of his chest and start CPR with 30 chest compressions.
Look inside the mouth each time you open the airway to give breaths, and
remove any object seen.

9. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
On the last working day of every month, the owner of J & K Manufacturing
brings in lunch and a large cake to celebrate employee birthdays that fell during
the month. Today is “birthday lunch day,” and the staff is in the cafeteria,
enjoying pizza and salad.
One of your team members who has been eating rather quickly begins to cough.
As his coughing continues, he stands up to go to the restroom. You know first
aid and suspect that he may need help.
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
2. How would you provide care?
3. If he becomes unresponsive, how would you provide care?
Manufacturing
Scenario 1
9

10. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
a. Approach him on his way to the restroom and ask him if he is
choking.
Manufacturing
Scenario 1 Answer
10

11. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
Manufacturing
Scenario 1 Answer
11
2. How would you provide care?
a. If he can speak, encourage continued coughing to clear the object.
b. If he cannot speak and is not coughing, ask if you can help. Direct someone to call
9-1-1 and then give abdominal thrusts.
1. Stand behind him with one leg forward between his legs.
2. Reach around his abdomen and locate his navel with a finger from 1 hand.
3. Make a fist with the other hand and place the thumb side of the fist against
his abdomen, just above the navel.
4. Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust inward and upward into his
abdomen with quick thrusts.
5. Continue thrusts until he expels the object or becomes unresponsive.

12. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
3. If he becomes unresponsive, how would you provide care?
a. Direct someone to call 9-1-1 if not already called.
b. Lower him to the ground, expose his chest, and start CPR
with 30 chest compressions.
c. Look inside the mouth each time you open the airway to give
breaths, and remove any object seen.
Manufacturing
Scenario 1 Answer
12

13. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
Joe and his 5-year-old son Josh went to the shop foreman’s office to pick up his
paycheck. While Joe and his boss chatted, Josh went to get a treat from the
candy jar on the foreman’s desk.
As Joe gets ready to leave the office, he calls out for Josh. As Josh runs toward
his dad with a mouth full of candy, he begins coughing. Suddenly, Josh stops
coughing and looks panicked.
You know first aid and happen to be in the room.
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
2. How would you provide care?
Manufacturing
Scenario 2
13

14. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
a. Ask him if he can speak.
Manufacturing
Scenario 2 Answer
14

15. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
Manufacturing
Scenario 2 Answer
15
2. How would you provide care?
a. If the child cannot speak, give abdominal thrusts:
1. Kneel or stand behind him and reach around his abdomen.
2. Locate his navel with a finger from 1 hand.
3. Make a fist with the other hand and place the thumb side of the fist against his
abdomen, just above the navel.
4. Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust inward and upward into his
abdomen with quick thrusts.
5. Continue thrusts until he expels the object or becomes unresponsive.
6. If he becomes unresponsive, direct the boss to call 9-1-1.
7. Give CPR. Lower him to the ground, expose his chest, place the heel of 1
hand on the center of his chest and start CPR with 30 chest compressions.
Look inside the mouth each time you open the airway to give breaths, and
remove any object seen.

16. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
On the last working day of every month, the owner of Midwest Freight and
Transport brings in lunch and a large cake to celebrate employee birthdays that
fell during the month. Today is “birthday lunch day,” and the staff is in the
cafeteria, enjoying pizza and salad.
One of your team members who has been eating rather quickly begins to cough.
As his coughing continues, he stands up to go to the restroom. You know first
aid and suspect that he may need help.
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
2. How would you provide care?
3. If he becomes unresponsive, how would you provide care?
Transportation and Warehousing
Scenario 1
16

17. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
a. Approach him on his way to the restroom and ask him if he is
choking.
Transportation and Warehousing
Scenario 1 Answer
17

18. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
2. How would you provide care?
a. If he can speak, encourage continued coughing to clear the object.
b. If he cannot speak and is not coughing, ask if you can help. Direct someone to
call 9-1-1 and then give abdominal thrusts.
1. Stand behind him with 1 leg forward between his legs.
2. Reach around his abdomen and locate his navel with a finger from 1 hand.
3. Make a fist with the other hand and place the thumb side of the fist against
his abdomen, just above the navel.
4. Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust inward and upward into his
abdomen with quick thrusts.
5. Continue thrusts until he expels the object or becomes unresponsive.
Transportation and Warehousing
Scenario 1 Answer
18

19. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
3. If he becomes unresponsive, how would you provide care?
a. Direct someone to call 9-1-1 if not already called.
b. Lower him to the ground, expose his chest, and start CPR with 30
chest compressions.
c. Look inside the mouth each time you open the airway to give breaths,
and remove any object seen.
Transportation and Warehousing
Scenario 1 Answer
19

20. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
Joe and his 5-year-old son Josh went to the warehouse manager’s office to pick
up his paycheck. While Joe and his boss chatted, Josh went to get a treat from
the candy jar on the manager’s desk.
As Joe gets ready to leave the office, he calls out for Josh. As Josh runs toward
his dad with a mouth full of candy, he begins coughing. Suddenly, Josh stops
coughing and looks panicked.
You know first aid and happen to be in the room.
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
2. How would you provide care?
Transportation and Warehousing
Scenario 2
20

21. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
a. Ask him if he can speak.
Transportation and Warehousing
Scenario 2 Answer
21

22. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
Transportation and Warehousing
Scenario 2 Answer
22
2. How would you provide care?
a. If the child cannot speak, give abdominal thrusts:
1. Kneel or stand behind him and reach around his abdomen.
2. Locate his navel with a finger from 1 hand.
3. Make a fist with the other hand and place the thumb side of the fist against his
abdomen, just above the navel.
4. Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust inward and upward into his
abdomen with quick thrusts.
5. Continue thrusts until he expels the object or becomes unresponsive.
6. If he becomes unresponsive, direct the boss to call 9-1-1.
7. Give CPR. Lower him to the ground, expose his chest, place the heel of 1
hand on the center of his chest and start CPR with 30 chest compressions.
Look inside the mouth each time you open the airway to give breaths, and
remove any object seen.

23. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
Joe and his 5-year-old son Josh went to the work site to pick up his paycheck.
While Joe and his boss chatted, Josh went to get a treat from the candy jar on
the manager’s desk.
As Joe gets ready to leave the office, he calls out for Josh. As Josh runs toward
his dad with a mouth full of candy, he begins coughing. Suddenly, Josh stops
coughing and looks panicked.
You know first aid and happen to be in the room.
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
2. How would you provide care?
Utilities
Scenario 1
23

24. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
a. Ask him if he can speak.
Utilities
Scenario 1 Answer
24

25. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
Utilities
Scenario 1 Answer
25
2. How would you provide care?
a. If the child cannot speak, give abdominal thrusts:
1. Kneel or stand behind him and reach around his abdomen.
2. Locate his navel with a finger from 1 hand.
3. Make a fist with the other hand and place the thumb side of the fist against his
abdomen, just above the navel.
4. Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust inward and upward into his
abdomen with quick thrusts.
5. Continue thrusts until he expels the object or becomes unresponsive.
6. If he becomes unresponsive, direct the boss to call 9-1-1.
7. Give CPR. Lower him to the ground, expose his chest, place the heel of 1
hand on the center of his chest and start CPR with 30 chest compressions.
Look inside the mouth each time you open the airway to give breaths, and
remove any object seen.

26. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
Your employer, De Angeles, Inc., sells imported specialty equipment to
restaurants throughout the U.S. Every year De Angeles, Inc. has a booth at the
Restaurant Association trade show, and this year, you have been asked to help
staff the booth. It’s the first day of the show, and the exhibit floor is filled with
food and beverage samples of all types. Samples of Italian espresso are being
offered in the De Angeles booth.
As two women approach your booth, one of them begins to choke on a food
sample from another vendor.
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
2. How would you provide care?
3. If she becomes unresponsive, how would you provide care?
Wholesale Trade
Scenario 1
26

27. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
1. What would you do before providing first aid?
a. Ask the victim if she is choking.
b. If she indicates she is not choking, encourage her to continue
coughing to expel the object.
c. If she indicates she is choking, ask if you can help.
Wholesale Trade
Scenario 1 Answer
27

28. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
Wholesale Trade
Scenario 1 Answer
28
2. How would you provide care?
a. Have someone call 9-1-1.
b. Stand behind the victim with 1 leg forward between her legs.
c. Reach around her abdomen and locate her navel with a finger from 1
hand.
d. Make a fist with the other hand and place the thumb side of the fist
against her abdomen just above the navel.
e. Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust inward and upward into
her abdomen with quick jerks. Continue abdominal thrusts until she
expels the object or becomes unresponsive.

29. © 2016 National Safety Council
Choking • Scenarios
3. How would you provide care if the victim becomes unresponsive?
a. Lower her to the ground, expose her chest, and start CPR by
pumping the chest 30 times hard and fast.
b. Look inside the mouth when opening the airway to give
breaths and remove any object.
Wholesale Trade
Scenario 1 Answer
29