How is a choking infant managed differently from a choking adult?

In the case of a choking infant, the management technique differs significantly from that used for adults due to the anatomical and physiological differences between infants and adults. Infants are smaller and more fragile, which necessitates a gentler approach.

The correct method for managing choking in infants involves the use of back blows and chest thrusts. This technique is specifically designed to create enough pressure to expel the object causing the choking while minimizing the risk of injury to the infant. When performing back blows, the rescuer uses the heel of one hand to give up to five firm blows between the infant's shoulder blades while the infant is positioned face down along the rescuer's forearm, ensuring the head is lower than the chest. If the obstruction does not clear, the rescuer then turns the infant face up and performs chest thrusts, using two fingers to push down at a rate that can effectively expel the obstruction.

Using abdominal thrusts is inappropriate for infants as their anatomy is not equipped to safely handle this technique, which can lead to potential harm. Similarly, solely performing rescue breaths or shaking the infant can also be harmful and would not effectively clear the airway obstruction. Thus, employing back blows and chest thrusts is the most effective and safest way to manage