Choking infant (under 1 year)

What to do

1. Immediately call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.
2. Follow DRSABCD St John Action Plan

If the infant is conscious

1. Give up to five (5) sharp back blows:
   + Position infant with head and shoulders on your hand and forearm facing downwards.
   + Hold the infant’s mouth open with your fingers.
   + Give up to five (5) sharp blows between shoulders with the heel of one hand.
   + Visually check if the obstruction has been cleared after each back blow and remove any foreign material that may have loosened.
2. If unsuccessful, give up to five (5) chest thrusts:
   + Place the infant on their back on a firm surface.
   + Place two (2) fingers (index and middle) over the lower half of the breastbone.
   + Give five (5) chest thrusts – which are similar to CPR compressions but sharper and delivered at a slower rate.
   + Visually check if the obstruction has been cleared after each chest thrust.
3. If obstruction cleared, position the infant with the head pointing downwards on the forearm, and remove any foreign material that may have loosened carefully with your little finger.
4. If the obstruction does not clear continue alternating with five (5) back blows and five (5) chest thrusts until medical aid arrives.

If the infant becomes unconscious and not breathing normally

1. Commence CPR
2. Call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.

Signs and symptoms

• Clutching the throat
• Coughing, wheezing or gagging
• Having difficulty breathing, unable to breathe, coughing, speaking or swallowing
• Trying to cry but making strange or no sounds at all
• Making whistling or “crowing” sounds
• Face, neck, lips, ears or fingernails turning blue
• Becoming unconscious.

Caused by

• Airway partially or completely blocked by food
• Airway partially or completely blocked by small objects or foreign materials