Choking, strokes and seizures
Choking, strokes and seizures: a chapter of the First Aid Book, with the steps that help in the first minutes of an emergency.
10 cards · Science
Each Zap teaches up to 5 new cards, so you learn the deck a few at a time.
Checked by the Brain Zap team · reviewed 26 Oct 2026
Sources: First aid (NHS), First aid advice (British Red Cross)
Preview
First aid for a choking adult who can't cough
Show answerHide answer: First aid for a choking adult who can't cough
Back blows
Learn more: Lean them forward and give up to 5 firm blows with the heel of your hand, checking their mouth after each.
If back blows fail on a choking adult
Show answerHide answer: If back blows fail on a choking adult
Abdominal thrusts
Learn more: Fist between belly button and ribs, pull sharply in and up, up to 5 times, then go back to back blows.
Position for someone unconscious but breathing
Show answerHide answer: Position for someone unconscious but breathing
Recovery position
Learn more: It keeps the airway open and lets vomit drain out of the mouth instead of into the lungs.
FAST stroke check: F stands for…
Show answerHide answer: FAST stroke check: F stands for…
Face
Learn more: Ask them to smile: a stroke often weakens one side of the face.
FAST stroke check: T stands for…
Show answerHide answer: FAST stroke check: T stands for…
Time
Learn more: Every minute of a stroke kills brain cells, and some treatments only work in the first few hours.
About this topic
Some emergencies are not injuries but sudden illness: choking, a stroke, a heart attack, a seizure, a severe allergy or an asthma attack. Knowing the signs and the first thing to do saves precious minutes. For a stroke, remember FAST: Face, Arms, Speech, Time. For anyone who is unconscious but breathing, the recovery position keeps their airway open while you wait for help.
This is a chapter of the First Aid Book. Each card asks one question, with a hint before you answer and a short reason after. Once you know most of this chapter, the next one starts arriving in your Daily Zap.
All 10 cards
First aid for a choking adult who can't cough
Back blows
Learn more: Lean them forward and give up to 5 firm blows with the heel of your hand, checking their mouth after each.
If back blows fail on a choking adult
Abdominal thrusts
Learn more: Fist between belly button and ribs, pull sharply in and up, up to 5 times, then go back to back blows.
Position for someone unconscious but breathing
Recovery position
Learn more: It keeps the airway open and lets vomit drain out of the mouth instead of into the lungs.
FAST stroke check: F stands for…
Face
Learn more: Ask them to smile: a stroke often weakens one side of the face.
FAST stroke check: T stands for…
Time
Learn more: Every minute of a stroke kills brain cells, and some treatments only work in the first few hours.
Tablet to chew during a heart attack, if not allergic
Aspirin
Learn more: Chewed slowly, it thins the blood and can limit the damage while the ambulance is on its way.
During a seizure, never…
Put anything in their mouth
Learn more: Clear space, cushion their head and time it; call an ambulance if it lasts more than 5 minutes.
Used for a severe allergic reaction
Adrenaline auto-injector
Learn more: Inject into the outer thigh, through clothes if needed, then call an ambulance even if they improve.
Colour of the usual asthma reliever inhaler
Blue
Learn more: Sit them upright and help them take one puff every 30 to 60 seconds, up to 10 puffs; call if it doesn't help.
Give someone with diabetes and low blood sugar…
Something sugary
Learn more: Low sugar can make someone shaky, pale or confused; something sugary usually helps within minutes.
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