When assisting a choking patient, what should you first determine?

To properly assist a choking patient, the initial step is to determine if the person can speak or cough. This is critical because it helps assess the severity of the choking situation. If the patient can speak or cough, it indicates that their airway is not completely obstructed, and they may be able to clear the blockage on their own or may only need some encouragement to continue coughing.

Determining if the patient has been choking for a length of time, their heart conditions, or if assistance is available are important factors but are secondary to assessing their airway status. An inability to speak or cough signifies a complete or severe obstruction, which requires immediate action, such as the Heimlich maneuver. Thus, quickly evaluating their ability to breathe, speak, or cough is the most important first step in responding effectively to a choking emergency.