What is the correct response if someone is choking?

When someone is choking, performing abdominal thrusts is the most appropriate response. This technique, commonly known as the Heimlich maneuver, is designed to expel an obstructing object from the airway. The force generated by thrusting inward and upward can create enough pressure to dislodge the item, allowing the person to breathe again.

Encouraging someone who is choking to drink water may seem helpful, but it can lead to further choking if the water does not wash away the obstruction or if the person is unable to swallow. Slapping someone on the back can sometimes help dislodge an object, but it is often less effective than abdominal thrusts and could even cause the object to become lodged more deeply. Leaving a person alone when they are choking is dangerous, as they require immediate assistance to prevent suffocation. Therefore, abdominal thrusts are the recommended action to provide immediate help in this critical situation.