What should you do if a conscious adult is choking?

When a conscious adult is choking, the appropriate response is to deliver back blows and chest thrusts as a means to clear the obstructed airway. This technique combines using the force of gravity to help expel the object while also aiming to apply pressure to the chest, creating a more effective method for dislodging the obstruction.

Encouraging the individual to cough can be beneficial if they are able to do so forcefully, as coughing is a natural reflex that may help to expel the object without further intervention. However, if they're unable to breathe or cough effectively, that option may not provide the necessary help.

Sitting the person down immediately could potentially exacerbate the situation. It is vital to keep them upright to facilitate effective coughing and breathing if possible.

Providing rescue breaths is not appropriate in the case of choking when the person is conscious, as the first priority is to address the obstruction rather than initiate rescue breathing, which is intended for situations where a person is unresponsive or not breathing at all.

Thus, delivering back blows and chest thrusts is the correct approach for aiding a conscious adult who is choking, as it directly targets the obstruction and aims to restore normal breathing.