Reading this will only take a few minutes, but it could help you save a life when someone’s choking.

You’re not a trained first aid expert, but in case of an emergency, here’s what to do while you wait for trained medical assistance.

You’ll know someone’s choking if they’re clutching at their throat. Encourage them to cough forcefully to remove the stuck blockage. If this is unsuccessful, and they become unable to talk or cough, you’ll need to clear the blocked airway.

If the choking person is an adult, you’ll need to try abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich manoeuvre. You do this by standing behind the person and wrapping your arms around their waist. Place one hand just above the choker’s bellybutton making a fist, and with the other hand push the fist inwards and up, making quick, sharp movements. Keep doing this until the object blocking the airway comes out and allows the person to breathe again, or they become unconscious.

If you find an already unconscious person, first call for emergency rescue. While you’re waiting, you’ll know that something is obstructing their windpipe if you blow into their mouth and the air will not go in, even after you’ve tried repositioning their head.

Put the person on their back and lift their chin. Try to remove the blockage with your finger using a hooking motion to prevent pushing it in further (a finger sweep). Blow two slow breaths into their mouth to see if you’ve been successful. If not, put the heel of your hand above their bellybutton, with the other hand pushing down on top of it, interlacing your fingers. Give five quick upward thrusts. Repeat the finger sweep and two breaths, and if you’re still not successful, continue repeating the process until trained rescue workers arrive. If you do manage to dislodge the blockage, begin rescue breathing or CPR - but only if you've been trained to do so!

If the choking person is pregnant or too large for you to wrap your arms around them, begin immediately with the chest compressions.

The procedure is the same for children, but it is not safe to do the Heimlich manoever with babies or very young children. Instead, put the child on its stomach, head down, and quickly but precisely hit them five times with the heel of your hand just below the space in between the shoulder blades.

You should be firm, but be careful that you don’t hit too hard. It’s best to do this with the child face down on your forearm, supporting its head with your other arm. Then roll the baby over and use two fingers to press firmly down on the chest, just below the centre of the nipples. Repeat this five times. Remember while doing this that the aim is to dislodge the blockage, so make sharp, upward movements. And if the baby is unconscious, then again use the finger sweep and two breaths technique.