What should you do when an infant is choking and the chest is not rising during ventilation?

When an infant is choking and you observe that the chest is not rising during ventilation, the appropriate response is to perform abdominal thrusts. This technique is effective in expelling objects from the airway of a conscious infant who is choking. Abdominal thrusts create pressure in the abdomen, which can force the object blocking the airway out, allowing normal ventilation and breathing to resume.

In instances where an infant is unable to breathe and ventilation does not result in chest rise, it indicates a severe obstruction that must be addressed immediately. While other actions such as administering back blows and initiating CPR could be considered in various scenarios, they are not the best initial responses when the obstruction is believed to be the cause of the lack of chest rise. Using a pediatric bag-valve mask is also not recommended in this situation, as it requires a clear airway to function effectively. Thus, performing abdominal thrusts becomes the prioritized action to relieve the choking and restore normal breathing.