Many national media outlets have recently reported on Abigail Wilson and David Jenkins from Hartlepool, who tragically lost their son Jacob after he sadly passed away after choking on a grape.

As a result of this family's tragic loss, Pizza Hut will stop serving grapes in all their branches across the country, but what if you aren't at a restaurant, and you are at home?

Unfortunately, the fact is that grapes are the perfect size to completely block a child's windpipe and once it's lodged there it will block the entirety of their airway causing them to choke. So what should you do if someone you are with, or your child is choking?

Adult & Child (1 year+)

Encourage the casualty to cough - If the choking is only mild, this will clear the obstruction and they should be able to speak to you.
If the obstruction is not cleared:
Back Blows

  • Shout for help, but don't leave the casualty yet.
  • Bend the casualty forwards so the head is lower than the chest.
  • Give up to 5 firm blows between the shoulder blades with the palm of your hand. Check between blows and stop if you clear the obstruction

    • If the obstruction is not cleared:
    Abdominal Thrusts

  • Stand behind the casualty. Place both your arms around their waist.
  • Make a fist with one hand and place it just above the belly button (below the ribs) with your thumb inwards.
  • Grasp the fist with your other hand, then pull sharply inwards and upwards. Do this up to 5 times. Check between thrusts and stop if you clear the obstruction.

    • If the obstruction is not cleared:
    Repeat steps 2 and 3

  • Keep repeating steps 2 and 3.
  • If the treatment seems ineffective, shout for help. Ask someone to call 999/112 for emergency help, but don't interrupt the treatment whilst the casualty is still conscious.
    • If the casualty becomes unconscious
  • Call 999/112 for emergency help
  • Start CPR

    • Baby (under 1 year)

    The baby may cough. If the choking is only mild, this will clear the obstruction - the baby may cry and should now be able to breathe effectively.
    If the obstruction is not cleared:
    Back Blows

  • Shout for help, but don't leave the baby yet.
  • Lay the baby over your arm, face down, legs either side of your elbow with the head below the chest.
  • Give up to 5 firm blows between the shoulder blades with the palms of your fingers. Keeping the head low, Check between blows and stop if you clear the obstruction.

    • If the obstruction is not cleared:
    Chest Thrusts

  • Turn the baby over, chest uppermost, (by laying them on your other arm) and lower the head below the level of the chest.
  • Using two fingers on the chest, give up to 5 chest thrusts. These are similar to chest compressions, but sharper in nature and delivered at a slower rate. Keeping the head low, check between thrusts and stop if you clear the obstruction.

    • NEVER perform abdominal thrusts on a baby.
    If the obstruction is not cleared:
    Repeat steps 2 and 3

  • Keep repeating steps 2 and 3.
  • If the treatment seems ineffective, shout for help. Ask someone to call 999/112 for emergency help, but don't interrupt the treatment whilst the baby is still conscious.
    • If the baby becomes unconscious
  • Call 999/112 for emergency help.
  • Place the baby on a firm, flat surface.
  • Start CPR
    • If you feel you or your business could benefit from First Aid Training in Hull, contact me today.
    First Aid – What to do when someone is choking.
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