What should you do after giving 5 back slaps to an infant who continues to choke?

After giving 5 back slaps to an infant who is choking and is still in distress, the appropriate step is to turn the infant onto their back and perform chest thrusts. This method is essential because back slaps alone may not be effective in dislodging the object causing the blockage. Chest thrusts provide a different approach by creating enough pressure within the chest cavity to expel the obstruction.

In the context of choking, infants have smaller airways, and a combination of back slaps and chest thrusts is recommended to maximize the chances of clearing the airway. Each technique focuses on creating sufficient force to release the lodged object, making it critical to alternate between them if the first method does not resolve the situation.

Ensuring the infant is properly positioned and utilizing these techniques could save their life, emphasizing the importance of knowing and executing the correct procedure during such emergencies.