Choking is a condition that occurs when the airway becomes blocked, restricting or preventing airflow into the lungs. It can be caused by the obstruction of the airway by a foreign object, such as food, a small toy, or another item. Choking can be a life-threatening emergency if the blockage is not quickly relieved, as it can lead to severe oxygen deprivation and potentially result in unconsciousness or death.
Foreign object swallowed: First aid
If someone has swallowed a foreign body, it is important to assess the situation and provide appropriate first aid. Here’s what you can do:
Encourage coughing Don’t intervene if they can breathe and speak
Seek medical assistance Do not induce vomiting
Choking: First Aid
If someone is choking and unable to breathe, immediate action is required to clear their airway. Here are the steps for providing first aid for choking:
Assess the situation: Quickly determine if the person is truly choking. Look for signs of choking such as difficulty breathing, inability to speak, and hands grasping their throat. If the person is coughing forcefully, encourage them to continue coughing, as it may help dislodge the object.
Encourage coughing: If the person is conscious and able to cough, encourage them to keep coughing forcefully. Coughing is the body’s natural way of trying to clear the airway.
Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver): If the person is unable to cough or is not making any sound, you should perform the Heimlich maneuver. Here’s how to do it:
- Stand behind the person and place your arms around their waist.
- Make a fist with one hand and place the thumb side against the person’s upper abdomen, just above the navel and below the ribcage.
- Grasp your fist with your other hand and give quick inward and upward thrusts, as if you’re trying to lift the person up.
- Repeat the thrusts until the object is dislodged or the person becomes unconscious.
Back blows and chest thrusts for infants: If the choking victim is an infant (less than one year old), the technique is slightly different. Place the infant face down on your forearm with their head lower than their chest, and support their head and jaw with your hand. Deliver up to five back blows with the heel of your hand between the infant’s shoulder blades. If the obstruction persists, turn the infant face up and place two fingers in the center of the chest just below the nipple line. Give up to five chest thrusts, pressing firmly inwards and upwards.
Call for emergency assistance: If the person continues to choke and becomes unconscious, you or someone nearby should call emergency services immediately.
Perform CPR: If the person becomes unconscious, lower them gently to the ground and start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Follow the steps for CPR, including chest compressions and rescue breaths, until medical help arrives.
Remember, it is crucial to act quickly when someone is choking. If you’re unsure about performing the Heimlich maneuver or CPR, it’s best to seek medical assistance immediately.
Things not to do:
- Don’t ignore the situation.
- Don’t attempt blind finger sweeps: (Do not blindly insert your fingers into the person’s mouth to try and remove the obstruction. This can push the object further down the airway and cause more harm.)
- Don’t give water or liquids
- Avoid forceful back slaps for infants
- Don’t delay calling for emergency help
- Avoid leaving the person alone