Choking is a medical emergency that occurs when a foreign object, such as food or a toy, becomes lodged in the trachea (windpipe) and blocks the airway, preventing air from flowing normally into or out of the lungs. Choking can cause a coughing fit, but complete blockage of the airway may lead to death. Choking can happen to anyone, but young children are especially at risk because they tend to put things in their mouths and have smaller airways that are easily blocked.

The following are some common symptoms of choking:

• Inability to speak, cry, or make noise
• Gasping or wheezing
• Turning blue
• Grabbing at the throat or waving the arms
• Panic
• Loss of consciousness

If someone is choking, it is important to act quickly and provide first aid. The following are some first aid techniques for choking:

• For conscious adults and children over one year old: Perform back blows and abdominal thrusts. Stand behind the person and deliver up to five sharp blows between their shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If the blockage has not cleared, give up to five abdominal thrusts. To carry out an abdominal thrust, stand behind the person, place your arms around their waist, and clench one fist. Place the fist right above their belly button and put the other hand on top of your fist. Pull sharply inwards and upwards, repeating this movement up to five times.
• For unconscious adults and children: Call emergency services (911 or 999) and start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Remove any visible obstruction from the mouth and commence CPR.

To prevent choking, it is important to take safety measures such as cutting food into small pieces, chewing food slowly and thoroughly, and avoiding laughing and talking while chewing and swallowing. Additionally, parents should supervise their children at all times when they are eating and keep small objects out of reach, particularly in children younger than four years old.