The hand position to give abdominal thrusts to a responsive choking child or adult is

• A. In the middle of the abdomen just above the navel
• B. At the lower abdomen near the hip
• C. On the chest just below the sternum
• D. On the back between shoulder blades

Answer: (A)

Relieving a choking obstruction in a responsive adult or child relies on creating a quick upward pressure to push air from the lungs and dislodge the object. The hand is formed into a fist and placed on the abdomen, just above the navel. Wrapping the other hand over the fist, you deliver short, inward and upward thrusts. This position sits above the navel so the thrusts drive air upward through the airway without risking injury to the chest or lower abdomen. Placing the hand on the chest wouldn’t produce the needed airway pressure, and back blows are a different technique used in other scenarios. So the correct hand position is the middle of the abdomen just above the navel.