YMCA Basic Life Support Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Prep

When an infant is choking and cannot make sounds, administering a series of back blows followed by chest thrusts is the correct response. This technique is specifically designed for infants who are unable to breathe or cry due to an obstruction in their airway. The back blows help to dislodge the object by creating pressure in the chest cavity through targeted force, while the chest thrusts serve to further assist in expelling the object stuck in the airway.

This approach is critical because it provides immediate intervention to restore breathing and clear the airway. Waiting to see if the infant can breathe again, performing CPR immediately without assessing for the need, or encouraging the infant to cough can lead to serious complications, as they do not effectively address the immediate threat posed by the choking hazard. Therefore, back blows and chest thrusts are the recommended first aid steps in this emergency situation involving an infant.