Airway obstruction caused by a foreign object occurs when breathing is partially or fully blocked by an item such as food, a bead, or a toy. This can lead to a sudden onset of breathing difficulties, often accompanied by coughing and agitation in the initial stages. Signs of respiratory distress include strained and ineffective breathing, eventually leading to a complete inability to breathe if the obstruction persists. If the blockage is not cleared, the person may lose consciousness. To address airway obstruction caused by a foreign object, the following treatments are recommended:- For adults: Perform the Heimlich maneuver.- For children over one year old: Administer five abdominal thrusts, similar to the Heimlich maneuver for children.- For infants under one year old: Alternate between five back blows (using the flat of your hand) and five abdominal thrusts (using two fingers on the upper abdomen).

CPR Certification Labs provides hands-on, American Heart Association–aligned CPR, BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification training to help providers master these life-saving skills.