The characteristics of choking are indicated by the inability to breathe, cough or speak, and bluish |lips|, nails or skin. Ask the victim, "Are you choking?" If the victim cannot breathe, cough or speak, begin the Heimlich maneuver if you are trained to do so.
1. Stand behing the choking victim.
2. Wrap your arms around the victim's waist and lock your hands into a fist.
3. Place the thumb side of your fist against the victim's abdomen, slightly above the navel and below the |rib| cage.
4. Press your fist into the victim's abdomen with a quick upward thrust. This forces air through the trachea with the intent to dislodge any obstruction there.
