Choking is the result of a sudden obstruction, partial or complete, of the airway due to a foreign body stuck in any portion of the airway. There are numerous causes of choking, including food, tablets or toy parts, to name but a few. It can be traumatising for the suffering patient and anyone witnessing the event. As GPs, we undergo mandatory basic life support training to help in recognition of the acute respiratory symptoms associated with choking and to aid more expert management of choking. This article is intended to be used only in conjunction with learning from mandatory basic life support training and action taken should follow the latest Resuscitation Council UK guidance, sequential basic life support and algorithms.
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