AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/scout-choking-five-and-five

A choking adult can't talk or cough. What pattern does the Red Cross approach use?

Five back blows, then five abdominal thrusts, repeated.

Start playing free

  1. 5 back blows, then 5 abdominal thrusts ✔
  2. 10 chest pats, then a drink
  3. 2 back blows, then wait

Why: The Red Cross says if someone can't cough, speak or breathe, have someone call 911, then give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades and 5 abdominal thrusts. Repeat until they can cough, speak or breathe.

Huh, didn't know that: Abdominal thrusts are also called the Heimlich maneuver.

The dad joke
Why did the cookie cry? Its mom had been a wafer so long.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: 5 back blows, then 5 abdominal thrusts. The Red Cross says if someone can't cough, speak or breathe, have someone call 911, then give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades and 5 abdominal thrusts. Repeat until they can cough, speak or breathe.

  1. Adult and Child Choking (American Red Cross) www.redcross.org/take-a-class/resources/learn-first-aid/adult-child-choking
    Continue giving 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Outdoors & CampingYou find a hurt hiker by the trail. What is the very first thing to check?Outdoors & CampingOn a hot hike, which sign points to heat stroke rather than heat exhaustion?Outdoors & CampingA Scout is confused, red-faced and very hot after a summer hike. What's your first move?

That's stuff everyone should know.