Final answer:
To treat a choking individual, give back blows or, if necessary, perform the Heimlich maneuver. Recognize choking by looking for signs like inability to speak or labored breathing. In severe cases, seek emergency help and start CPR if trained.
Step-by-step explanation:
A possible step to take in treating someone who is choking includes giving back blows. If that person is an infant, turn the baby upside down and gently slap their back to dislodge the object. For an older child or adult, first encourage them to cough. If they cannot cough the object out, deliver sharp back slaps between their shoulder blades. If the object remains lodged, you may need to perform the Heimlich maneuver, which is an abdominal thrust technique to force the object out from the person's airway.
To identify that someone is choking, look for inability to speak, labored breathing, and possibly blue-tinged skin which indicates oxygen deprivation. If the choking is severe and the person becomes unconscious, call for emergency services immediately and start CPR if you are trained. Remember, CPR is not effective in water, so in the case of drowning, bring the person to stable ground first.