If a choking person is coughing forcefully, what should you do?

When a choking person is coughing forcefully, it indicates that their airway is at least partially blocked, but they are still able to breathe and make sound. In this situation, encouraging them to keep coughing is the best course of action. Coughing is an effective way for a person to expel the object obstructing their airway. It allows for an increase in airflow and pressure within the lungs, which can help dislodge the object, leading to its expulsion.

Providing water to drink, performing abdominal thrusts, or patting them on the back gently can either worsen the situation or do no good at all. Drinking water might cause additional choking, while abdominal thrusts are only appropriate when the person cannot breathe, cough, or speak at all, indicating a more severe blockage. Patting on the back can also push the object further down if not done correctly. Therefore, encouraging the person to continue coughing is essential for helping them clear their airway safely.