Final answer:
When assisting a conscious but choking infant, give 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts, and repeat until the object is dislodged or the infant becomes unconscious. Do not offer drinks or shake the infant. If they become unconscious, administer CPR and call for emergency help.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you believe an infant is choking because he is conscious but not breathing, coughing, or actively moving air, the proper response is to give 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts, and repeat this process until the object is dislodged or the infant becomes unconscious. It's important to recognize that a choking person cannot speak or cry out and may show labored breathing with gasping or wheezing. In infants, choking risk is higher due to their propensity to put small objects in their mouths. Offering the infant a drink or shaking the infant is not recommended, as it may worsen the situation. If the infant becomes unconscious, you should then begin CPR and call for emergency medical assistance immediately.
Choking in children and adults should be addressed as quickly as possible to restore breathing and prevent suffocation. For adults or older children who are conscious and choking, encourage coughing, deliver hard back slaps, and if necessary, perform the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the object. Time is of the essence in such situations, and swift action could save a life.