Removing a foreign object from the airways of a child

Recognise an emergency quickly. If several helpers are available, one of them calls 112 immediately, while the other one begins first aid.

First aid for children over 1 year

1. Take the child on your lap on their stomach, with their head lower than their body.

2. Hit between the shoulder blades firmly, but carefully, five times.

3. If the hits do not remove the foreign object from the throat, call 112. Put the phone on speaker and continue helping.

4. Continue with abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver).

   - Stand the child up and place yourself behind them.

   - Place one fist below their diaphragm and grab it with your other hand.

   - Thrust sharply back and upwards.

   - If necessary, repeat five times.

5. If the foreign object does not come out, alternate between five hits and five thrusts.

6. If the child loses consciousness, begin resuscitation and notify the Emergency Response Centre about the changed situation.