In an adult choking emergency where the patient cannot breathe, what is the recommended action?

• A. Call for help and begin first aid.
• B. Give them a snack to help.
• C. Do nothing until symptoms resolve.
• D. If able to, perform abdominal thrusts; if the person cannot breathe, call for help and begin first aid; continue until airway is cleared or help arrives.

Answer: (D)

When someone is choking and cannot breathe, act immediately to relieve the obstruction. The best approach is to perform abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) to generate enough pressure to expel the object from the airway. At the same time, call for emergency help and begin first aid, continuing the thrusts until the airway is cleared or responders arrive. This direct intervention is essential because waiting or doing nothing allows oxygen deprivation to continue, which can cause serious harm. Giving snacks or delaying action won’t help, and doing the maneuver is the crucial step to restore airflow. If the person becomes unconscious, switch to emergency response and CPR as you call for help.