What is the first step to take when an infant is severely choking?

When an infant is severely choking, the first step to take is to provide 5 back slaps. This method is designed to help dislodge the object that is causing the obstruction in the airway. By positioning the infant face-down on your forearm and using the heel of your hand to deliver firm back slaps between the shoulder blades, you create a force that may help to expel the object blocking the airway.

Calming the infant is certainly important, but it is not the immediate step to address in a choking emergency. Instead, the priority is to attempt to remove the obstruction in order to restore normal breathing. While chest compressions and contacting emergency services are critical aspects of handling such emergencies, they come into play only after the initial interventions such as back slaps and abdominal thrusts (if necessary) have been attempted and proven ineffective.