According to the choking response steps, when should you call 9-1-1?

• A. If the person becomes unconscious
• B. Immediately when you start abdominal thrusts
• C. Only after performing 5 abdominal thrusts
• D. If the person can speak or cough loudly

Answer: (A)

When someone is choking, the moment they lose consciousness changes everything. If the person becomes unconscious, you must call 9-1-1 and begin CPR right away because they can no longer protect their airway and need emergency life-saving help. Air cannot be effectively cleared while unresponsive, and professional responders should be en route as you start chest compressions and rescue breaths if needed.

If the person can still speak or cough loudly, air is getting through, so you continue monitoring and guiding them to cough or breath, and you don’t call for emergency help based on that alone. The other options aren’t the trigger because the key change is losing consciousness, not the act of performing thrusts or a fixed number of attempts.