Signs of Choking (Complete Airway Obstruction)

A person who is choking (has complete airway obstruction):

Can't cry, talk, breathe, or cough.
May grasp throat.
May become severely anxious or agitated.
May turn blue or dusky in color.
May pass out.

A choking rescue procedure (the Heimlich maneuver) is used to clear an obstruction in adults and children older than 1 year. Back blows and chest thrusts are used in babies younger than 1 year.

Credits

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	David Messenger, MD
Last Revised	July 11, 2011

By:

Healthwise Staff

Last Revised: July 11, 2011

Medical Review:

William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
David Messenger, MD

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