What a 9-Year-Old Should Do If They See Someone Choking
A 9-year-old child should immediately call for adult help and activate emergency services (911), but should NOT attempt physical interventions like back blows or abdominal thrusts on another person, as these techniques require proper training and physical capability to perform safely and effectively. 1
Immediate Actions for a 9-Year-Old Witness
First Priority: Get Help
- Shout loudly for an adult immediately - this is the single most important action 1
- Call 911 or activate emergency services - a 9-year-old can and should do this if no adult responds quickly 1
- Stay with the choking person while calling for help, if possible 1
What to Tell Emergency Services
- State clearly that someone is choking 1
- Give the location/address 1
- Describe if the person is an adult, child, or infant - this helps responders prepare 1
- Report if the person can still cough or make sounds (mild obstruction) versus cannot breathe or speak at all (severe obstruction) 1
What NOT to Do
Physical Interventions Are Not Appropriate
- Do NOT attempt back blows - these require proper positioning and force that a 9-year-old cannot safely deliver 1, 2
- Do NOT attempt abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) - these require significant strength and proper hand placement to avoid causing injury 1, 2
- Do NOT put fingers in the choking person's mouth - blind finger sweeps can push the object deeper into the airway and cause harm 1, 2
Why Children Shouldn't Perform These Maneuvers
The guidelines specify that back blows must be delivered as "sharp slaps between the shoulder blades with the heel of the hand" and abdominal thrusts require pulling "sharply inwards and upwards" with enough force to expel the object 1, 2. A 9-year-old typically lacks the physical strength, hand size, and training to perform these maneuvers effectively and safely 1.
If the Person Can Still Cough
For Mild Obstruction
- Encourage the person to keep coughing - do not interfere if they can still cough and make sounds 1, 2
- Stay nearby and watch closely for signs that the obstruction is becoming worse 1
- Get adult help immediately even if the person seems to be managing 1
Warning Signs of Worsening
- The person stops being able to cough or make sounds 1
- The person's lips or face turn blue (cyanosis) 1
- The person clutches their throat (universal choking sign) 1
- The person becomes weak or collapses 1
If the Person Becomes Unconscious
Critical Actions
- Immediately shout for help again if not already done 1
- Call 911 if no one else has - this becomes the absolute priority 1
- Do NOT attempt CPR unless the child has been specifically trained in CPR 1, 3
- Wait for trained help to arrive and stay with the person 1
What Parents Should Teach Their 9-Year-Old
Essential Skills
- How to recognize choking - sudden inability to breathe, speak, or cough effectively 1
- How to call 911 - practice giving clear information about location and the emergency 1
- The importance of getting adult help immediately rather than trying to intervene physically 1
Consider Age-Appropriate CPR Training
Parents and caregivers should learn CPR and choking first aid themselves, and may consider enrolling older children in age-appropriate first aid courses when they have the maturity and physical capability 3. However, standard choking intervention techniques are generally not appropriate for a 9-year-old to perform on others 1.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not delay calling for help while trying to figure out what to do 1
- Do not assume the person is okay if they wave you away but are clearly in distress 1
- Do not leave the person alone to go find help unless absolutely necessary to reach a phone 1
- Do not panic and freeze - taking action by calling for help is always better than doing nothing 1