New Choking Guidelines for Children and Infants
December 2, 2025 New Choking Guidelines for Children and Infants In October 2025, the American Heart Association (AHA), in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), released its first major CPR and emergency care update since 2020. One of the most significant changes focuses on how to respond when an infant or child is choking .
A video used for training purposes shows the proper techniques to help a child who is choking according to the 2025 American Heart Association CPR Guidelines . copyright American Heart Association
Updated CPR guidelines tackle choking response, opioid
Guideline Highlights: New guidance on choking in conscious children and adults recommends alternating five back blows followed by five abdominal thrusts, until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive. Guidance for choking in infants ...
Enroll in a Red Cross course to learn the skills needed to respond to adult or child choking emergencies: Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Online, Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED Online, Adult CPR/AED Online, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED Online, First Aid Online, and Until Help Arrives. Risk Factors for Choking Certain behaviors can put a person at risk for choking , such as talking or ...
Choking Hazards
This page provides information about choking hazards and how to prevent choking in young children.
Choking is a leading cause of death for infants and children. Most children who die from choking are under age 5—and two-thirds are babies under a year old. Some children who survive a severe choking episode have permanent, life-changing brain injuries. but knowing the signs of choking and how to respond quickly can help prevent tragedy.
PDF Choking Prevention and First Aid for Infants and Children
Many children die from choking each year, and some children who survive a severe choking episode have permanent, life-changing brain injuries. Most children who choke to death are younger than 5 years. Two-thirds of choking victims are infants younger than 1 year. Balloons, balls, marbles, pieces of toys, and foods cause the most choking deaths.
WHAT TO DO NEXT IF CHILD BECOMES UNCONSCIOUS—CALL 9-1-1, if not already done. Carefully lower the child to the ground and give CARE for an unconscious choking child , beginning with looking for an object (PANEL 6, Step 3).
PDF Child Choking & CPR
Child Choking Begin the following if the child is choking and is unable to breathe. However if the child is coughing, crying, speaking, or able to breathe at all, DO NOT do any of the following, but call the pediatrician for further advice.
Codeveloped by the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, this publication presents the 2025 guidelines for basic life support during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care of the pediatric patient, excluding the newborn infant, and represents the first comprehensive update of treatment recommendations since 2020. Incorporating the results ...