First aid for choking
Ask "Are you choking?" first — the 2025 guidance alternates back blows with the Heimlich maneuver
01 What to do now
- 01
Ask them "Are you choking?" to confirm whether it's severe (can't speak, weak or no cough, face turning blue/purple)
- 02
2025 updated guidance: start with 5 back blows (stand behind them, lean them slightly forward, strike firmly between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand)
- 03
Then give 5 Heimlich thrusts: stand behind them in a staggered stance, make a fist against the center of their upper abdomen, grip it with your other hand, and thrust sharply inward and upward; keep alternating 5 back blows and 5 thrusts until the object comes out. For pregnant people or anyone you can't get your arms around, use chest thrusts instead
- 04
If they lose consciousness and collapse, switch immediately to standard CPR, and have someone nearby call your local emergency number and find an AED
02 Common myths
Skipping straight to the Heimlich maneuver: the updated 2025 guidance is to alternate 5 back blows with 5 Heimlich thrusts
Intervening while they can still cough and talk: being able to cough means the airway isn't fully blocked — encourage them to keep coughing forcefully instead
Hesitating to help out of fear of being sued: Taiwan legally protects good-faith rescuers — see the legal protection section under scenario 12 (CPR + AED), which covers the Heimlich maneuver too
03 Sources
- Ministry of Health and Welfare — CPR reference guideline summary (2021 edition) Official source
- National Health Foundation — 2025 international first-aid guideline update Professional / media source