What should you do first if someone is choking?

When dealing with a choking incident, the first step typically involves encouraging the person to cough forcefully. This is because a strong cough can help dislodge the obstruction from the airway, allowing the individual to breathe again without further assistance.

Coughing is a reflex action that can clear the airway with the right force, and it is the body's natural way of expelling something that is blocking the throat. Encouraging the person to cough also provides a moment to assess whether the choking is severe enough to necessitate additional intervention, such as abdominal thrusts.

If a person is able to cough, speak, or breathe, it indicates that their airway is only partially blocked, and they should be encouraged to continue coughing. This approach allows for a potential resolution of the choking without moving on to more invasive procedures. In contrast, an immediate call for emergency help or administering back blows or abdominal thrusts may not be necessary if the person can still manage to cough effectively. Drinking water is not advisable as it could exacerbate the problem by introducing a liquid into an already compromised airway.