The Red Cross has updated its first aid guidelines for conscious choking victims. They now recommend that you give five back blows before performing the heimlich maneuver.


Reproduced below are the updated guidelines:

If you encounter a conscious, choking individual that is coughing, encourage continued coughing. If the victim is unable to cough, speak, or breathe, complete the following: Send someone to call 9-1-1

Lean person forward and give 5 back blows with heel of your hand.

Give 5 quick abdominal thrusts by placing the thumbside of your fist against the middle of the victim's abdomen, just above the navel. Grab your fist with the other hand.

Repeat until the object the person is choking on is forced out and person breathes or coughs on his or her own.


And now, all of those choking victim posters in NYC are pretty much out of date.

CONSCIOUS CHOKING | The American Red Cross

Photo by Brandon Otto .