Declan’s mother, Ashlie Johnson, planned to offer him some apple slices as a healthy snack, but she had no idea that doing so would almost endanger his life.

The mother of four children reported that the two-year-old was contentedly watching television and munching on the fruit slices when the horrifying incident occurred.

Only a few minutes later, her young son screamed in a “strange” manner and appeared to be straining to cough as his face turned bright red.

Despite not having a first aid certification, the mother and her partner Tyson utilized their instincts to assist their young son in retrieving the trapped piece of fruit.

But after a few strong blows to his back failed to open his airway, they contacted an ambulance, which arrived quickly at their Queensland home in Toowoomba.

“He was walking towards me with his arms up, wanting to be picked up, but he was red in the face and trying to cough,” Ashlie recalled.

“He eventually coughed, and was coughing quite hard and quite profusely.”

Declan was sent to Toowoomba Base Hospital in critical condition, where an X-ray revealed that a piece of apple had been trapped in his lung.

After attempts to move the toddler failed, it was put under anaesthesia and transferred to Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane to see a specialist.

Declan needs an urgent operation to remove the piece of apple.

“He was in distress and he was starting to go blue. They put him onto a ventilator so they could run his whole breathing for him.

“Before surgery, they thought that the apple had moved in his lung, which caused his oxygen levels to drop,” the mum explained.

“He was in distress and he was starting to go blue. They put him onto a ventilator so they could run his whole breathing for him.

“We flew to Brisbane, he pretty much went from the helicopter to the theatre.”

Ashlie is currently spreading the word about how crucial it is to be knowledgeable about basic first aid, particularly how to handle an unexpected choking episode.

The parents were happy to learn that Declan’s surgery had gone well one hour after being hospitalized.

The toddler was permitted to return home the following day.

“I was so happy to hear he was okay,” she said.

“They weren’t sure whether he would have had to go to ICU or be kept on a ventilator but he didn’t need to, which was great.”

“What I have found since is that some parents may not recognise the signs of choking,’ she said. “There needs to be more information regarding them. I’m still learning a lot; it’s all a learning curve.”

NOT DONE! Here’s What to do if a child is choking

Medical professionals have cautioned parents against using their fingers to attempt and push an obstruction from a child’s throat farther down.

Instead, make an effort to get the child to cough; if it doesn’t work, immediately dial triple-0.

Give the child five hardback punches to help move the object while you wait for emergency personnel to arrive.

Five chest thrusts should be done after that; alternate between the two.

Parents should inspect the child’s mouth for obstructions after each blow.

Partial Airway Obstruction Symptoms

Voice loss, choking noises, worsening cough, gagging, wheezing, anxiety, agitation, stridor (a harsh, rattling sound made when breathing in), and sudden chest pain.