Sharon has 21+ years of experience as a qualified Emergency Care Nurse registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) and 12+ years as a First Aid Trainer.
She takes pride in FirstAidPro making first aid training available, comprehensive and affordable to everybody.
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Choking is a serious and potentially fatal emergency, particularly among individuals with disabilities and the elderly. Many NDIS participants have conditions that make them more vulnerable to choking, such as dysphagia (swallowing difficulties), cognitive impairments, and reduced muscle control.
NDIS support workers, aged care providers, and disability carers play a critical role in ensuring the safety of their clients during mealtimes and everyday activities. Understanding how to recognise and respond to a choking emergency can mean the difference between life and death.
In this guide, we will cover how to perform effective choking first aid techniques, highlight choking prevention strategies, and explain why Dysphagia Support Training through First Aid Pro’s NDIS HISS course is essential for carers and support workers.
Why People with Disabilities and the Elderly Are More Prone to Choking
Choking can occur suddenly and without warning, particularly for individuals with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), neuromuscular impairments, intellectual disabilities, or those taking medications that affect muscle coordination and saliva production. These factors can significantly increase the risk of food or liquids entering the airway, leading to choking or aspiration pneumonia.
Common Choking Hazards in Disability and Aged Care Settings
Certain foods and eating behaviours present a higher choking risk, especially for individuals who struggle with swallowing. Dry, hard, or tough foods, such as toast, meat, and raw vegetables, can be difficult to chew and swallow. In some cases, meal preparation does not align with a person’s prescribed texture-modified diet, further increasing the likelihood of choking.
Drinking thin liquids too quickly can also lead to aspiration, where food or liquid enters the lungs instead of the stomach. Additionally, eating without proper supervision poses a serious risk, particularly for those who require assistance at mealtimes.
Without proper training, a choking incident can escalate into a life-threatening emergency within minutes. That’s why NDIS support workers and aged care providers must be equipped with the right first aid skills to act quickly and effectively in such situations.
How to Recognise a Choking Emergency
Before applying first aid, you need to determine the severity of the choking:
🔹 Mild choking (partial airway obstruction): The person can cough, breathe, or make noise. Encourage them to keep coughing. Do not interfere unless their condition worsens.
🔹 Severe choking (complete airway obstruction): The person is unable to cough, speak, or breathe. They may grip their throat, turn blue, or lose consciousness. Immediate action is required.
First Aid Techniques for Choking Incidents
In Australia, chest thrusts are used instead of the Heimlich manoeuvre, as recommended by the Australian Resuscitation Council.
Step 1: Encourage Coughing (If Possible)
If the person can still cough forcefully, encourage them to continue coughing to clear the obstruction naturally.
Step 2: Perform Back Blows
If coughing fails to clear the obstruction:
🔹 Stand behind the person and slightly to the side.
🔹 Support their chest with one hand while they lean forward.
🔹 Deliver up to five sharp blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.
Step 3: Perform Chest Thrusts (If Needed)
🔹Position yourself where you have enough leverage to apply pressure to the person’s chest, such as standing in front of them while they lean against a wall.
🔹Place the heel of your hand on the lower part of their sternum. Deliver a firm, upward thrust into their sternum. After the first thrust, wait 2 to 5 seconds and observe their reaction. Are they able to cough?
🔹Repeat the thrusts up to five times until the airway obstruction is cleared, or the person is able to breathe again.
🔹After each thrust, reassess whether they are still choking and continue if necessary.
Step 4: Call 000 if the Choking Persists
🔹 If the obstruction does not clear after back blows and chest thrusts, call emergency services (000) immediately.
🔹 Continue alternating five back blows and five chest thrusts until the blockage is cleared or the person becomes unresponsive.
Step 5: If the Person Becomes Unconscious
🔹 Gently lower them to the ground or a firm surface.
🔹 Start CPR if they are not breathing.
🔹 Continue chest compressions and rescue breaths until help arrives.
Best Choking Prevention Practices for NDIS Support Workers and Aged Care Providers
Preventing choking starts with a thorough assessment of each individual’s risk factors, including their medical history, swallowing abilities, and cognitive function. Understanding these risks allows carers to implement appropriate strategies tailored to the needs of each person.
For individuals with swallowing difficulties, modifying food textures is essential. Depending on their needs, meals may need to be pureed, softened, or minced to make swallowing safer and easier. Ensuring food is prepared in accordance with a person’s mealtime management plan can significantly reduce the risk of choking incidents.
Encouraging slow, supervised eating is another key preventive measure. Many people with dysphagia or cognitive impairments may eat too quickly or struggle to chew properly, increasing the risk of food becoming lodged in the airway. Providing adequate hydration throughout meals also assists with swallowing and reduces the risk of food getting stuck.
Finally, comprehensive staff training is crucial. NDIS support workers and aged care providers should be trained in choking first aid and safe mealtime assistance to respond effectively in an emergency. When carers are properly equipped with the right knowledge and skills, they can create a safer dining environment and significantly reduce the likelihood of choking incidents.
NDIS HISS Course for Dysphagia Support
Why Dysphagia Support Training is Essential for NDIS Support Workers
Many NDIS participants experience swallowing difficulties, a condition known as dysphagia, which requires specialised care to prevent choking incidents. Without proper training, support workers may struggle to recognise the warning signs of dysphagia, respond effectively to choking emergencies, or implement safe eating practices. This gap in knowledge can lead to life-threatening situations. To address this, NDIS regulations mandate that providers ensure their staff are adequately trained to support individuals with dysphagia, reinforcing the importance of education and preparedness in disability care.
ABC News Report: Record Fine for NDIS Provider Due to Choking Death
The dangers of inadequate dysphagia support were tragically highlighted in 2023 when NDIS provider Valmar Support Services received a record $1.9 million fine—the highest-ever penalty imposed on an NDIS provider. The fine was issued after a fatal choking incident involving a 47-year-old non-verbal resident with multiple disabilities.
What Happened?
The resident, who had intellectual disability, autism, type 2 diabetes, and Prader-Willi syndrome, tragically choked on a toasted sandwich in May 2020. His mealtime management plan specifically required soft and moist food, yet the meal provided did not meet these guidelines. The staff were not properly trained in dysphagia management, and as a result, they failed to recognise and mitigate the risks associated with his condition.
NDIS Regulator’s Response
Following the incident, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville emphasised that the death could have been prevented if staff had received adequate training and followed proper procedures. The Federal Court found that Valmar’s staff were not equipped with the necessary skills to safely support residents at risk of choking. As a result, the NDIS regulator reaffirmed that severe penalties will be imposed on providers who fail to meet their safety obligations.
This tragic case underscores the critical need for dysphagia support training for NDIS support workers. Ensuring that staff are properly educated in mealtime safety and choking first aid is not just a regulatory requirement—it is a life-saving necessity.
Get Trained in Dysphagia Management and Choking First Aid Today!
An estimated two million Australians experience dysphagia—difficulty eating, drinking, and swallowing. This condition affects people with intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s, stroke, dementia, myositis, head and neck cancer, and the elderly.
A study led by Professor Bronwyn Hemsley (University of Technology Sydney), published in the Journal of Law and Medicine, examined coronial inquest findings on the deaths of three Australians and one Canadian in residential care (2018–2021).
“Choking and aspiration pneumonia—caused by inhaling food or liquid—are leading causes of premature death in residential care,” said Professor Hemsley. “However, disability and aged care providers can take steps to prevent this.”
She emphasised that people with dysphagia deserve proper mealtime support and safeguarding. Preventing choking deaths requires:
✔ Access to health professionals
✔ Staff training in safe mealtime assistance
✔ Texture-modified, nutritionally balanced food
✔ Proper supervision during meals in supported accommodation
With the right interventions, choking-related deaths can be avoided.
First Aid Pro’s Dysphagia Support Training for NDIS Workers
For individuals with dysphagia, proper support is vital to prevent choking and ensure safe swallowing. Our Dysphagia Support Training teaches you to identify, assess, and manage swallowing difficulties, helping to implement aspiration prevention strategies while ensuring optimal nutrition and hydration.
Throughout our choking first aid course, you’ll gain practical skills training and experience in safe ingestion techniques for food, liquids, and medication, along with a thorough understanding of texture-modified diets and thickened fluids. Additionally, the training includes first aid for choking emergencies.
Our course aligns with the High Intensity Support Skills Descriptors for Dysphagia Support, and provides a Statement of Competence to certify your ability to deliver specialised dysphagia care.
Enrol today and become a certified NDIS support worker with essential choking first aid skills!
Or call our dedicated HISS Course Administrator on 0438 415 227 to learn more about our training options.
Prioritising Choking First Aid and Dysphagia Support in NDIS and Aged Care
Choking remains a serious and preventable risk for individuals with disabilities and the elderly. As an NDIS support worker or aged care provider, having the right skills and knowledge in choking first aid and dysphagia management is essential to safeguarding lives. Proper training ensures that carers can recognise warning signs, respond effectively to choking emergencies, and implement strategies to prevent incidents before they occur.
With cases like the Valmar Support Services choking fatality highlighting the severe consequences of inadequate training, it is more important than ever for providers to prioritise staff education. First Aid Pro’s NDIS HISS Dysphagia Support Training equips care workers with the specialist knowledge required to deliver safe and effective mealtime assistance while ensuring compliance with NDIS standards.
By taking proactive steps—assessing risks, modifying food textures, supervising meals, and ensuring staff are trained in choking first aid—NDIS providers can create a safer environment for those in their care.
Enrol in First Aid Pro’s Dysphagia Support Training or one of our other first aid courses today to develop the expertise needed to protect vulnerable individuals and help prevent avoidable choking-related deaths.
📞 Call 0438 415 227 to enquire about our group NDIS training for your workforce and discover how you can make a difference!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important for NDIS support workers to know how to provide first aid?
NDIS support workers often work in situations where emergencies can arise. Being trained in first aid, including CPR, ensures that they can respond effectively to medical conditions, injuries, and emergencies, safeguarding the well-being of individuals they support.
How can I book a first aid course for NDIS support workers?
You can book a first aid course by contacting a trusted registered training organisation like First Aid Pro that offers courses specifically designed for the disability sector. Our easy online booking options make it easy to secure a spot in relevant training courses.
Do I receive a certificate after completing the first aid course?
Yes, upon successful completion of the first aid course, participants receive a nationally accredited first aid certificate, which serves as a statement of attainment. This certification is often required to work in the disability sector and is recognised by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
What should I do if I encounter an emergency situation while working as an NDIS support worker?
In an emergency situation, you should first ensure the safety of yourself and others. Then, provide first aid as trained, calling for additional medical help if necessary. It is crucial to stay calm and apply the skills learned in your first aid training to manage the situation effectively.
Are these first aid courses tailored for the disability sector?
Yes, First Aid Pro customises first aid courses to suit the needs of the disability sector. These courses, such as HLTAID011 Provide First Aid, and HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR course), include training that can be contextualised to address the unique needs and challenges faced by NDIS support workers when providing first aid to individuals with disabilities.
