For an adult who is choking
Don’t panic! and don’t shout,
Stay calm and reassure them
Encourage coughing out.
If that is not effective
Still congestion of the neck,
Slap between the shoulder blades
After five! re-check.
Next! Heimlich manoeuvre
Was his technique to fame,
But does not like back slaps
Associated with his name.
Now it’s called abdominal thrusts
What this is all about,
By forcing up the diaphragm
Might force the blockage out.
So stand behind the casualty
Place hands round waist to front,
Grasp fist pull in and upward
Enough to make them grunt.
Always check between each phase
To see if clear and fine,
If after 3 attempts have failed
You must dial 999.