Choking is an instance when a person’s airway gets blocked either partly or fully that cuts off the supply of oxygen to the lungs and brain that can be life threatening. In the case of adults, choking is usually due to food substance that goes down the wrong way and in kids its usually small objects or again food.
Symptoms of choking include:
– Difficulty breathing gasping for breath or noisy breathing
– Inability to talk
– Skin, lips and nails turning blue
– Loss of consciousness
– Inability to cough forcefully
– Hand clutching throat and gasping
The first aid approach that should be followed in adults and children while choking:
1) Clear partial obstruction
If the airway is only partially obstructed you can ask the person to try and cough it out. Coughing usually clears the obstruction on its own.
2) Back Blows
If the obstruction doesn’t come out by coughing then giving blows on the back is the next step.
Place your hand between the shoulder blades of the person and with the heel of your hand give 5 blows.
3) Abdominal Thrusts
Stand behind the person and wrap your hands around his waist. Clench one fist and cover with other hand. Pull inwards as if trying to press and left the person at the same time. Repeat the thrust 5 times.
4) Alternate between blows and thrusts
If above steps haven’t led to the dislodging of the obstruction you might need to alternate between 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts.
5) Check the persons mouth
After every back blow and abdominal thrust check the person’s mouth for the object and see if it is mildly dislodged. If loose then pull it out.
Never sweep around the mouth of the person as you can increase the risk of the object getting pushed further down.
6) CPR
If the person loses consciousness and not breathing then you should start cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with chest compressions.
7) Medical Help
Before you start first aid for choking, don’t forget to seek medical help by calling the nearest hospital, emergency helpline or other emergency medical services.
This information on how to handle a choking emergency might just help you save someone’s life.