Encourage them to coughThey can still speak, cry or breathe — a strong cough can clear it on its own.
2
Stay with them and keep watchingIf the cough becomes weak, or they can no longer speak, breathe or cough — treat it as severe.
Who is it?
Choose an age above.
1
Can't cough, speak or breathe? Start back blows straight away — don't wait. Get someone else to call 999. On your own? Put your phone on speaker, call 999, and start back blows while it connects.
2
Up to 5 back blowsLean them forward, hit firmly between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
3
Up to 5 abdominal thrustsStand behind them, pull sharply inwards and upwards above their belly button.
4
RepeatKeep going — 5 back blows, then 5 abdominal thrusts (baby: chest thrusts) — until it clears or help takes over.
1
Can't cough, speak or breathe? Start back blows straight away — don't wait. Get someone else to call 999. On your own? Put your phone on speaker, call 999, and start back blows while it connects.
2
Up to 5 back blowsLean them forward, hit firmly between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
3
Up to 5 abdominal thrustsStand behind them, pull sharply inwards and upwards above their belly button.
4
RepeatKeep going — 5 back blows, then 5 abdominal thrusts (baby: chest thrusts) — until it clears or help takes over.
1
Can't cough, speak or breathe? Start back blows straight away — don't wait. Get someone else to call 999. On your own? Put your phone on speaker, call 999, and start back blows while it connects.
2
Up to 5 back blowsLean them forward, hit firmly between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
3
Up to 5 abdominal thrustsStand behind them, pull sharply inwards and upwards above their belly button.
4
RepeatKeep going — 5 back blows, then 5 abdominal thrusts (baby: chest thrusts) — until it clears or help takes over.
1
Can't cough, speak or breathe? Start back blows straight away — don't wait. Get someone else to call 999. On your own? Put your phone on speaker, call 999, and start back blows while it connects.
2
5 back blowsLay the baby face down along your forearm, with your forearm resting on your leg. Support their head with your hand. Keep their head lower than their chest. Hit firmly between the shoulder blades.
3
5 chest thrustsTurn them face up. Using 2 thumbs, push sharply down in the middle of their chest.
4
RepeatKeep going — 5 back blows, then 5 chest thrusts — until it clears or help takes over.