What should you do if a child is choking and starts to turn blue?

When a child is choking and begins to turn blue, it is a critical emergency situation that requires immediate action. Calling 911 is essential because it ensures that professional medical help is on the way as quickly as possible. Emergency responders are equipped to handle choking incidents and can provide advanced interventions that may be necessary if the situation escalates.

While other responses might seem appropriate in different contexts, they do not address the urgency of the situation effectively. Giving the child water could worsen the choking or lead to aspiration, which can cause further complications. Leaving a child alone to cough is dangerous, especially if their ability to breathe is compromised; coughing may not be effective in dislodging the obstruction. Shouting for help could potentially call attention to the situation, but it does not guarantee immediate assistance and could waste valuable time that the child may not have.

In such scenarios, the priority is to ensure that professional medical help is on the way while implementing appropriate first aid measures if trained to do so.