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First Aid: Choking and What You Can do About it

by Kristen White Blogger
Know everything you are supposed to do while attending to a person choked by either food or a foreign substance. 

When a foreign object finds its way to the throat, it blocks the airway hence affecting the normal flow of air in the windpipe — this is referred to as choking. In adults, choking can be caused by a piece of food sticking in the windpipe to block normal air flow. This gives a reason why at least one of the family members should have CPR on-line certification. In kids who often use toys and small objects, any small foreign object or even a toy may lead to choking. This gives an insight into why parents should be keen on the toys that their kids are playing with. Immediate first aid procedures should be given to a choking victim since it cuts off oxygen flow to the brain. 

Choking is signed by clutching hands to the throat. However, if a person does not show a sign look for-

  1. Breathing difficulties
  2. Inability to talk
  3. Squeaky noisy sounds when breathing
  4. Weak or forceful coughing
  5. Turning blue of the lips, skin, and nails
  6. Pale skin color
  7. Unconsciousness

If the victim is able to cough, then force them to cough more since the object may be lightly attached internally and may end up coming out. If the person is unable to talk, cough or cry, consider giving them five-and-five first aid approach-

Five back blows:  Stand by the side of the adult and support the victims’ chest using one arm. Bend the person over so that the upper part of the body is horizontally parallel to the ground level. Give five back blows separately between the shoulder blades of the victim. For kids, kneel down behind the victim and bend them. Give the blows separately minding the stability to prevent falling which may cause more injuries to the victim.

Five abdominal thrusts: Give five pushes to the victims’ abdomen, the abdominal thrusts are sometimes referred to as ‘Heimlich maneuver.’

Give the back blows and abdominal alternating: Continue giving five back blows and five abdominal thrusts alternating to the victim until signs that the blockage is dislodged are seen.

Since there are rare or rather no tutorials on how to give back blows as there are for abdominal thrusts if you are not familiar with the practice only use the abdominal thrust procedures. Both approaches to the condition are acceptable. To perform abdominal thrusts-

  • Position yourself behind the victim with one foot in front of the other for adequate support and balance. Wrap your hands about the person’s waist and tip them slightly forward. If the victim is a child, kneel behind while supporting the child with your arms.
  • Form a fist with your hand and position the fist slightly on top of the person’s navel
  • Grab the fist using the other hand, just at the position above the navel- press the fist into the abdomen with a quick up-thrust force like trying to lift up the person.
  • Give up to ten abdominal thrusts, you may also exceed if recovery signs are observed. Give the pushes until the blockage is dislodged from the victim’s airway.

If you are the only person who can give rescue at the scene, give the back blows and abdominal thrusts while alternating before calling 911 any of your local emergency reporting numbers for help. If there is any other person at the scene, have them call 911 for emergency help request while you continue giving the back blows and abdominal thrusts. If the victim loses consciousness, give standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the person. Give chest compressions and rescue breaths to the person. However, CPR should only be administered by a specialist to minimize more injury on the victim. If you get choked while alone, first call the emergency number and ask for help. Then give abdominal thrusts to yourself through the following steps-

  • Form one fist and place it slightly above your navel
  • Grasp the fist with the other hand while bending on a hard surface for support
  • Shove the fist in and out your abdomen.

For a pregnant woman, follow the same procedure but the fist should be placed higher than the position for a normal person. Repeat the procedure until the airway is clear. If the patient becomes unconscious someone with CPR online certification should help in giving chest compressions.

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About Kristen White Committed   Blogger

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Joined APSense since, August 19th, 2016, From Chicago, United States.

Created on Apr 26th 2019 01:03. Viewed 625 times.

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