CPR & Choking Checklist

How to use this calculator

Select age group

Choose adult, child, or infant based on the person needing help. Age group changes compression depth and technique recommendations in line with major resuscitation guidelines. Selecting the correct group keeps the checklist aligned with international CPR standards and reduces confusion when time is limited. If you are unsure between child and adult, follow local guidance on the onset of puberty.

Check responsiveness

Indicate whether the person is responsive. A responsive person may only need monitoring and reassurance, while an unresponsive person requires emergency action. This input steers the checklist toward immediate CPR steps or choking relief. Use a loud verbal cue and a gentle shoulder tap when checking responsiveness, and act quickly if there is no response.

Assess breathing

Select whether the person is breathing normally. Normal breathing is steady and regular; gasping or absent breathing should be treated as an emergency. The checklist uses this input to prompt CPR and AED use when needed. If you are unsure, assume breathing is not normal and activate emergency response quickly.

Confirm choking signs

Indicate whether there is choking or a blocked airway. Severe choking changes the action list to back blows and thrusts, while a clear airway shifts the focus to CPR or monitoring. Look for inability to speak, cough, or breathe as signs of severe obstruction. Follow dispatcher instructions when available.

Note if alone

If you are alone, the checklist reminds you when to call emergency services and use speaker mode. This balances starting immediate care with contacting help. When someone else is available, ask them to call emergency services and locate an AED while you begin care.

Review checklist steps

After calculating, follow the checklist in order and keep compressions consistent. The steps summarize CPR, AED use, and choking relief for quick recall under stress. This tool is not a substitute for training, so treat it as a reminder to follow certified techniques and local protocols.

CPR checklist advantages

Fast emergency framing

The checklist compresses key CPR and choking steps into a single view so you can act quickly. In emergencies, speed matters, and a structured checklist reduces hesitation. It provides a simple starting point that mirrors the first actions taught in global resuscitation programs.

Age specific guidance

CPR depth and technique change for adults, children, and infants. By adjusting instructions based on age group, the checklist aligns with international guidelines and avoids unsafe assumptions. This keeps the response safer and more consistent with certified training.

Breathing status clarity

The breathing input distinguishes between normal breathing and emergency situations. This reduces the risk of delaying CPR when it is needed or starting it when monitoring is sufficient. Clear prompts help reinforce how to interpret gasping or absent breathing.

Choking response focus

Severe choking requires immediate back blows and thrusts rather than CPR. The checklist highlights this branch and emphasizes airway relief steps. That focus supports faster action when a blocked airway is the primary threat.

AED timing reminder

AED use is a critical survival factor in cardiac arrest. The checklist repeatedly surfaces AED timing so responders remember to apply it as soon as available. This reinforces global guidance on early defibrillation.

Call for help

Emergency calls can be delayed during stressful events. The checklist keeps calling emergency services as a top priority, especially when the person is unresponsive or choking severely. It also encourages speaker mode for hands-free instructions.

Consistent step order

A consistent step order reduces confusion for untrained helpers. The checklist reflects the sequence used in many training programs: assess, call, compress, use AED. This consistency supports memory recall and teamwork.

Training reinforcement

Even trained responders can benefit from quick reminders. The checklist reinforces correct compression rates and depths while emphasizing that certification is still required. It works as a refresher between formal training sessions.

Global guidance alignment

The content draws from international organizations like AHA, Red Cross, NHS, and WHO. That ensures the checklist aligns with globally accepted guidance rather than unverified advice. It keeps the output conservative and safety focused.

Shareable quick brief

Exporting the checklist provides a quick brief for training or review. It can be used as a reminder during drills or as a reference for care teams. The PDF summary mirrors the on-screen steps for consistency.

Cardiac arrest and choking warning signs

Cardiac arrest and severe choking are time-critical emergencies. Recognizing the warning signs helps you activate emergency response quickly and start lifesaving steps. Follow dispatcher guidance and use AEDs when available.

• Sudden collapse, unresponsiveness, or no normal breathing.
• Gasping, irregular breathing, or no signs of circulation.
• Severe choking with inability to speak, cough, or breathe.
• Blue or gray lips, face, or fingertips during airway obstruction.
• Persistent choking symptoms after back blows or thrusts.

Key CPR principles

• Start compressions quickly and push hard and fast.
• AED use improves survival; apply as soon as available.
• Provide rescue breaths if trained; hands-only CPR is acceptable for adults.
• Continue CPR until help arrives or the person recovers.

Choking response basics

• Encourage coughing if the person can speak or breathe.
• Use back blows and thrusts for severe choking.
• Infants require back blows and chest thrusts, not abdominal thrusts.
• Call emergency services if choking persists.

References (clinical guidance)

• American Heart Association: CPR guidelines
• American Red Cross: CPR training
• Resuscitation Council UK: Guidelines
• NHS: First aid guidance
• WHO: First aid guidance

Additional trusted resources

• St John Ambulance: First aid
• NHS: Choking response
• CDC: Cardiac arrest