Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Health, Safety, and Nutrition Practice Exam

When a child is choking and unresponsive, the priority is to ensure that emergency medical services are on the way as quickly as possible. Calling 911 is crucial because professional help can provide advanced care that a caregiver may not be equipped to offer.

Time is of the essence in choking situations, particularly when the child becomes unresponsive, which indicates a serious medical emergency. By calling for help first, the caregiver can focus on providing immediate aid while waiting for medical responders. In a situation where someone is unresponsive, actions like performing CPR may be necessary afterward, but the initial step of securing emergency assistance is vital.

Checking the mouth immediately or waiting for the child to recover are not appropriate responses, as they can waste critical time that could be used to initiate lifesaving measures and secure professional help.