Choking interventions in adults and children: what works when someone is blocking the airway
Official title: Evaluation of Foreign Body Airway Obstruction Interventions: A Prospective Cohort Study of Adults and Children
Run by University of Calgary · NCT07814690 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study observes real-world choking events in Alberta to see which bystander or EMS treatments help people who are over 2 years old.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 3 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 640 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Calgary Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Calgary, Alberta) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2030 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | September 11, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07814690 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults or children older than 2 years who experience an out-of-hospital choking event in Alberta and receive an airway intervention by a bystander or a healthcare professional, with EMS assessment or ED follow-up.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals whose choking resolves without further airway intervention or who are not evaluated by EMS/ED may not contribute to the primary analyses.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This prospective observational study collects data on out-of-hospital choking incidents in adults and children over 2 years in Alberta, focusing on the interventions used by bystanders or healthcare providers and subsequent EMS or emergency department evaluations. The goal is to better understand which airway clearance techniques are associated with safer, more effective outcomes. Data will come from cases where a choking event was treated before arriving at hospital, or where EMS or ED care followed the incident. The study will not assign treatments or randomize participants; it analyzes real-world practices across multiple settings. No specific interventions are mandated by the study protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could inform first aid guidelines and improve decision-making during choking to reduce serious outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior limited data suggested differences in choking techniques; this study builds on observational experiences but remains largely observational and exploratory in nature.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult or children (aged greater than 2 years) who experienced an out-of-hospital FBAO in Alberta, Canada * Received a FBAO intervention by bystander or healthcare provider * Were assessed by EMS at the time of the incident, or later attended an emergency department due to the incident Exclusion Criteria: \- Patients with abnormal airway anatomy such as a tracheostomy.
Where it's running
-
Virtual
Calgary, Alberta, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Cody Dunne, MD — University of Calgary
- Study coordinator: Cody Dunne, MD
- Email: cody.dunne@ucalgary.ca
- Phone: 000-000-0000
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
What helps choking in babies under age two: a look at real-life interventions
This study tests which choking first aid techniques used by bystanders or providers are safest and most effective for infants under two years old in Alberta, Canada.
-
Assessing Parental Knowledge of First Aid for Infants
This study is trying to see how well parents know first aid for choking and CPR in babies under one year old and what helps them feel more confident in these skills.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.