During a water rescue, when is an abdominal or chest thrust indicated for an adult who is conscious and choking?

During a water rescue, when is an abdominal or chest thrust indicated for an adult who is conscious and choking?

• A. If they cannot cough or speak and are unable to clear the obstruction, and you are trained
• B. If they are still coughing strongly
• C. When you are alone without support
• D. Only after giving rescue breaths

Answer: (A)

When someone is conscious and choking, you act with abdominal thrusts (or chest thrusts if abdominal thrusts aren’t appropriate, such as in pregnancy or obesity) when the obstruction cannot be cleared and the person can’t cough or speak. If they can still cough forcefully or speak, you let them continue coughing because air is moving and the obstruction may be partial. The maneuver isn’t about whether you’re alone or have support; it’s about the person’s ability to clear the blockage and your training to perform the technique. Rescue breaths aren’t the first step for a conscious choking adult; they’re used if the person becomes unconscious or in other CPR scenarios.

When someone is conscious and choking, you act with abdominal thrusts (or chest thrusts if abdominal thrusts aren’t appropriate, such as in pregnancy or obesity) when the obstruction cannot be cleared and the person can’t cough or speak. If they can still cough forcefully or speak, you let them continue coughing because air is moving and the obstruction may be partial. The maneuver isn’t about whether you’re alone or have support; it’s about the person’s ability to clear the blockage and your training to perform the technique. Rescue breaths aren’t the first step for a conscious choking adult; they’re used if the person becomes unconscious or in other CPR scenarios.