What should be done immediately if you see an object obstructing the airway of a conscious adult?

When dealing with a conscious adult who has an object obstructing their airway, providing abdominal thrusts is the appropriate immediate action. This technique, often referred to as the Heimlich maneuver, is designed to create an artificial cough by increasing pressure in the abdomen, which can help expel the blocking object from the airway. It is a critical response in cases of choking, as maintaining an open airway is essential for the person’s survival.

Encouraging the individual to cough could be useful in some situations where the airway is only partially obstructed, but if the person is unable to cough effectively or shows signs of severe choking, abdominal thrusts become necessary to clear the obstruction. Chest compressions are not indicated for conscious individuals, and performing back blows alone is not as effective as abdominal thrusts for a complete airway obstruction. Therefore, initiating abdominal thrusts is the most appropriate and effective method in this scenario.