Grasping the throat is a clear sign of choking.
When a person chokes, something has obstructed the airway, preventing air from passing through for normal breathing. If the object blocking the airway is not removed or is causing total blockage, the person may die due to lack of oxygen in the lungs. Choking can occur while talking or laughing when food is in your mouth, during excessive alcohol consumption or trying to swallow a piece of food that is too big.
Inability to speak or cough
When a person is choking, he may not be able to form words because of the object blocking the airway. He may make sputtering or gasping sounds, but words will not form. He may also try to cough, which is an instinctive reaction to try dislodging the object. If his airway is only partially blocked, he may be able to make a rasping sound and cough with enough force to expel the obstruction, but in cases of total blockage, he will be unable to produce any kind of sound.
Grasping of throat
In some cases, as the person who is choking realizes that his airway is blocked, one of his first instincts may be to clutch or grasp the throat. This is usually an attempt to dislodge the object by pushing on the throat, but often has no effect. This gesture is also a practical way to alert people he is choking and can prompt someone to come to his aid.
Cyanosis
In cases of total airway blockage, the person may have a blue tint to the skin, fingernails and mouth due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. This condition, known as cyanosis, is often observed on the face and lips of lighter-skinned people, and on the lips and fingernails of darker-skinned people. Cyanosis takes a few minutes to occur, so will often be the last sign that someone is choking, indicating that unconsciousness may soon follow.
Aid
The National Institutes of Health recommends you first ask the person if he is choking. If he can respond, make a sound or cough, you should allow him to dislodge the obstruction on his own. If the person cannot answer, the American Red Cross instructs you to lean him forward and strike his back five times with the heel of your hand. Follow this by wrapping your arms around his waist, and performing five thrusts upward to his abdomen with a closed fist held by your other hand; this is commonly known as the Heimlich maneuver. Repeat this procedure until the obstruction is expelled and the person breathes or coughs.
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