For many of you reading this article, first aid for choking is probably something you are already aware of but if you are not, here are some important tips which may help save your life or the life of a loved one or friend.
Why does choking occur?
Choking occurs when a foreign object blocks the passage down to the back of the throat or windpipe. Usually the blockage is food, but children can swallow objects like coins or buttons that end up getting stuck somewhere in the throat. When there is a blockage will prevent the airflow and cut of the oxygen supply to the lungs.
How to recognize when someone is choking?
The most common sign is seeing someone with their hands holding their throat. Sometimes when the person is choking he or she cannot speak and so will not be able to tell you what is wrong.
You will also need to look for others signs such as: •
Labored or noisy breathing •
The choking victim could have difficulty coughing •
Because the oxygen to the lungs is cut off, you will see the lips, skin and even nails start to turn a bluish or dusky color. •
If nothing is done to help dislodge the obstacle stuck in the throat the choking individual will fall unconscious.
How to administer first aid for a choking victim
•
Deliver 5 separate blows between the shoulder blades with the back (heel) of you hand.
•
Perform the Heimlich maneuver 5 times
•
Continue to alternate between 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the blockage is gone.
How to perform the Heimlich maneuver
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Get behind the victim and wrap your arms around his or her waist. •
Tip the person forward•
Make a closed fist using one hand•
Grasp the fisted hand with your free hand and place it just above the person’s navel. •
Press into the person’s body with the your hands in that fisted position and quickly and forcibly trust upward as if you were trying to lift the person.
This part is important to know, if you alone when someone is choking you must administer first aid before doing anything else, time is critical. If other people are with you, one of them can call 911, or the emergency medical service in your country.
If you are the person who is choking of course you cannot do the back blows but you can still to the Heimlich maneuver on yourself.
How to self-administer the Heimlich maneuver
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Make a fist and place it slightly above your navel, •
Bend over a surface such as a table or even a chair•
Push your fist into your body and push upward as briskly as you can
Alternate procedure for administering the Heimlich maneuver
If the choking victim is either a pregnant or obese individual, you will need to perform the Heimlich maneuver just below the breastbone or bottommost ribs.
If the person is already unconscious
•
Place the person on his or her back on the floor•
Open the mouth and check for the blockage •
Take it out with a finger if you can, but be careful not to send the blockage even further down the throat (this happens more often with children).•
Begin CPR and continue to check if the blockage moves from the back of the throat.
How to apply first aid on babies under a year old
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Sit down and place your baby on his or her back then place him or her across your forearm•
Rest your forearm on your thigh•
Gently thump on the babies back with the heel of your hand; roughly 5 times
If this procedure does not work
•
Turn the baby face up on your forearm and place your baby in a position where his or her head is below chest (tilt forward)•
Take two of your fingers and press around the center of the breastbone. Repeat 5 times. •
If the blockage is still in tack, repeat the procedure alternating between back blows and chest trusts
If the baby still doesn’t breath call the emergency immediately.
In the meantime you can perform CPR if your baby is still not breathing.
If your baby is older than 1 year only do the abdominal trusts.
Please note: Although this article provides the basic information on how to perform the Heimlich maneuver and first aid for choking victims, this article does not replace taking a qualified first aid course where you will learn how to do the Heimlich maneuver and CPR by a qualified instructor. Remember this could mean life or death to a love one in need.
Source:
Mayo Clinic Staff: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-choking/fa00025
