What should you do if a choking child becomes unconscious?

When a choking child becomes unconscious, it is critical to act quickly and efficiently to ensure the best chance of recovery. Gently lowering the child to the floor and beginning CPR is the appropriate response because when a child loses consciousness, their airway may be blocked, and their breathing has stopped.

CPR serves two vital functions: it helps to maintain blood flow to the brain and vital organs, and it may also help to dislodge whatever is causing the choking by creating pressure in the chest. Additionally, starting CPR immediately allows you to focus on restoring circulation and potentially clearing the airway when you attempt rescue breaths.

The other options may lead to ineffective responses. Shaking the child awake could cause unnecessary trauma and does not address the immediate life-threatening issue. Calling for help is important, but it should ideally be done while providing care to the child—not as a standalone action. Trying to clear the throat first without assessing the child’s responsiveness or beginning CPR can waste critical time, especially since the child is already unconscious and unable to respond to physical cues.