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The scare experienced by Alberto Cowboy inside “BBB26”, after an episode of choking that mobilized colleagues and medical staff, raised a common doubt outside the house: is it necessary to intervene immediately in every situation? Experts warn that the release maneuver is not always recommended. THE LeoDias portal explains how to react in the face of an emergency.
“Choking happens when something blocks the passage of air in the throat to the lungs. It can occur with food, small objects or even dental prosthetics. It is an emergency because it prevents oxygen from reaching the brain and requires quick action. Today, international guidelines are clear: what to do depends on whether the person is still able to cough or not. If they cough, let them cough; if they are not breathing, action must be taken immediately”, explained ENT doctor Thiago Zago.
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The specialist also warns of myths and practices commonly passed on in society, but which do not help when choking: “These are ineffective actions: raising your arms, giving water, shaking the person or putting your finger in the throat without visualizing the object. These actions can delay help or worsen the obstruction. Whenever there is serious choking, call SAMU on 192”, he stressed.
However, there are cases in which other people do not need to intervene, as would have happened with Alberto Cowboy: “If the person is coughing heavily or is able to speak, the safest thing is to let them cough. Coughing is the body’s natural mechanism to expel the object. When it is severe choking, action must be taken. Warning signs: cannot speak, cough or breathe, and the person may turn purple. In these cases, it is an emergency”, he explained.
The doctor detailed step by step what to do when you witness someone choking.
What to do for adults and children over 1 year old?
The most recent recommendations recommend five back slaps and five abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver). To perform the maneuver: stand behind the person; position your hands; close one hand, forming a fist; place the thumb of your fist in the region between the navel and the end of the breast bone; hold the handle with the other hand; make a quick inward and upward movement; repeat several times until the object comes out, the person can breathe again or help arrives. This sequence was reinforced in the 2025 American Heart Association guidelines. Back blows were now recommended before abdominal thrusts.
And in babies?
In children under 1 year old, the guideline is to perform five slaps on the back and five chest compressions, repeating the sequence. Abdominal thrusts are not recommended in infants due to the risk of injury.
