What is the priority when dealing with a choking adult?

When dealing with a choking adult, the priority intervention is to perform abdominal thrusts. This technique is specifically designed to create pressure in the abdomen that can help expel an obstructing object from the airway. When the airway is blocked by a foreign object, the individual cannot breathe properly, and immediate action is essential to prevent suffocation.

Abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver, are particularly effective because they can generate a significant amount of force needed to dislodge what is causing the obstruction. This method involves standing behind the victim, placing your arms around their waist, making a fist with one hand, and thrusting inward and slightly upward under the ribcage.

While encouraging coughing, administering back blows, and other techniques might have their applications in different scenarios, they are not as effective for a fully choking adult. Encouraging coughing is suitable for individuals who can still talk or breathe but may not be the best course for someone who has a complete airway obstruction. Administering back blows can be used in certain situations and is more applicable for younger children or infants. However, for an adult with a confirmed airway obstruction, abdominal thrusts are the most direct and effective immediate intervention.