What should you do if a casualty is conscious and showing signs of choking?

When a casualty is conscious and showing signs of choking, encouraging them to cough is appropriate because coughing is a natural reflex that can help dislodge the object blocking the airway. This method allows the person to use their own body’s instincts to expel the obstruction effectively. Coughing can increase the pressure in the chest, which may help push the foreign object out.

The emphasis on encouraging the casualty to cough is critical, as it avoids undue interference with their breathing mechanisms. It's a first line of action that respects the body's ability to respond to an obstruction before resorting to more invasive techniques, such as abdominal thrusts, which are recommended only if the casualty cannot cough, speak, or breathe effectively.

In scenarios where the person is unable to cough effectively or the obstruction persists, then further actions, such as abdominal thrusts, may become necessary. However, for a conscious individual able to cough, it's best to encourage this natural reflex rather than taking immediate action that could exacerbate the situation.