If a choking adult collapses while you are performing abdominal thrusts, what should you do next?

When an adult who is choking collapses during abdominal thrusts, it is essential to perform CPR immediately. This is because the individual has lost consciousness and cannot breathe, indicating a life-threatening emergency.

In such situations, the first step of CPR for an unconscious choking victim is to carefully check the mouth for any visible obstruction. If you see an object, you can attempt to remove it, but do not perform a blind sweep as this can push the object further down the airway. After checking the mouth, you would then proceed with rescue breaths, ensuring that the airway is clear before trying to ventilate the victim.

This approach prioritizes the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) of CPR, addressing the immediate need to eliminate the airway obstruction and restore breathing. Continuing abdominal thrusts would be inappropriate for someone who is already collapsed and unconscious. Seeking help or leaving the scene does not address the immediate needs of the victim, and checking for breathing and pulse before intervening could delay critical action in a life-threatening situation.