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When an older child or adult is choking, they will often grab their throat with their hands. If the person does not do this, look for these danger signs: inability to speak, difficulty breathing, noisy breathing or high-pitched sounds while inhaling, bluish skin color (cyanosis), and weak, ineffective coughing.
If a person seems to be choking, first ask, "Are you choking? Can you speak?" Do not perform first aid if the person is coughing forcefully and is able to speak. A strong cough can dislodge the object. Encourage the person to keep coughing to dislodge the object.
Review Date 2/10/2026
Updated by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
