First Aid for Choking

First Aid for Choking

• Choking individuals typically display panicked, confused, or surprised facial expressions.
• They may place one or both hands on their throat.
• Coughing, if present, may be forceful or weak, or absent altogether.

Assessing the Situation

• If you're with someone choking, first ask if they're choking or observe for symptoms (e.g., crying, difficulty speaking.)

• If the person can speak, cry, or cough strongly, encourage continued coughing.

• Individuals who can speak, cry, or cough forcefully are breathing adequately. However, be ready to act if their condition changes.

• If the choking person is making high-pitched noises or coughing weakly, or can't speak or cry, their airway is obstructed and they'll likely lose consciousness soon unless the airway is cleared.

• Immediately call emergency services (e.g., 1-2-3) while commencing first aid for choking.

Caring for Choking Adults or Children

• For choking adults or children, use a combination of 5 back blows (between the shoulder blades) followed by 5 abdominal thrusts (inward and upward thrusts above the navel).

• The goal of back blows and abdominal thrusts is to dislodge the obstructing object from the airway, enabling breathing.

Special Situations

• Large individuals: If the choking person is too large for you to wrap your arms around them, use chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts. Place your fist against the center of their breastbone and press inward and upward in a quick, thrusting motion into the chest.

• Pregnant individuals: For pregnant individuals, use chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.

• Wheelchair users: For people in wheelchairs, give abdominal thrusts in the same manner as for a standing person, potentially needing to kneel behind the wheelchair. If the wheelchair design makes it difficult, do chest thrusts instead.

Choking Alone

• If you're alone and choking, call emergency services (e.g., 1-2-3) on a landline or mobile phone.
• Even if you can't speak, activating the line will alert them of your need for assistance.
• Perform abdominal thrusts on yourself. Or, press your abdomen against a sturdy object like a chair back or railing.
• Avoid sharp edges or elevated surfaces.

Caring for Choking Infants

• For choking infants, use a combination of 5 back blows (between the shoulder blades) followed by 5 chest thrusts (instead of abdominal thrusts).

• Support the infant on your thigh—position their head lower than their chest.

• If your hands or the infant size makes abdominal thrusts difficult, use kneeling or sitting positions instead.

If the Choking Person Becomes Unresponsive

• If an unresponsive choking person is present, carefully lower them to the ground.

• Initiate CPR, commencing with chest compressions if trained and equipped.

• After each set of chest compressions, open the person's mouth and look for any obstruction.

Finger Sweeps

• Use a finger sweep only if you visibly see an object in the person's mouth.
• Never insert a finger into someone's mouth unless you see the object—you might push it further into the throat.

Test your knowledge on how to handle choking situations effectively. This quiz covers recognizing symptoms, assessing severity, and applying the appropriate first aid techniques for adults and children. Ensure you're prepared to save a life in case of choking emergencies.