How should a Hospital Corpsman assist a choking patient?

In situations where a patient is choking, the most effective and appropriate response is to administer back blows and abdominal thrusts. This approach is designed to create enough pressure to dislodge the obstruction from the airway.

Back blows are delivered between the shoulder blades of the person using the heel of the hand, and abdominal thrusts (often known as the Heimlich maneuver) involve placing a fist just above the navel and thrusting inward and upward. These methods provide the necessary force to help clear the airway.

Encouraging a choking individual to drink water is not advisable, as it can worsen the situation by introducing fluid into an already compromised airway. Performing CPR is essential only in cases where the patient becomes unresponsive and stops breathing entirely, which is not the initial step recommended for a conscious choking individual. Allowing the patient to cough may seem like a natural response, but it may not effectively remove the obstruction and can lead to more severe complications if the choking continues without intervention.