What should you do if a child is choking but is still able to cough?

Encouraging a child who is choking but is still able to cough is the appropriate response because coughing is a natural and effective way for the body to expel an obstruction in the airway. When a person is able to cough, it indicates that there is still some airflow, which allows them to generate pressure to dislodge the object causing the choking.

Promoting continued coughing helps to strengthen this natural reflex, enabling the child to possibly remove the obstruction without the need for more invasive interventions. It's important to monitor the child's condition, as their ability to cough may change if the obstruction worsens or if they become unable to breathe effectively.

The other options, while they may be appropriate in certain situations where the airway is completely blocked or the person is unable to cough, are not necessary when the child can still cough effectively. Performing back blows or abdominal thrusts before assessing the severity of the choking could lead to further complications, and calling for emergency help is typically reserved for situations where the individual cannot breathe at all or loses consciousness.