What is choking?
Choking happens when an object gets stuck in a person's throat and blocks their airway.
What to do
Position self to the side and slightly behind the choking person. ...
- Give 5 back blows. ...
- If no improvement, have the person stand up straight.
- Move behind the person; bend your knees slightly for balance and support.
- Give 5 abdominal thrusts.
.Risk Factors for Choking
Certain behaviors can put a person at risk for choking, such as talking or laughing with the mouth full or eating too fast. Medical conditions (such as a neurological or muscular condition that affects the person’s ability to chew, swallow or both) can increase risk for choking. So can dental problems or poorly fitting dentures that affect the person’s ability to chew food properly.
Signs and Symptoms of Choking
A person who is choking typically has a panicked, confused or surprised facial expression. Some people may place one or both hands on their throat. The person may cough (either forcefully or weakly), or he or she may not be able to cough at all. You may hear high-pitched squeaking noises as the person tries to breathe, or nothing at all. If the airway is totally blocked, the person will not be able to speak, cry or cough. The person’s skin may initially appear flushed (red), but will become pale or bluish in color as the body is deprived of oxygen.
Emergency Steps
1 Check the scene safety, form an initial impression, obtain consent and put on PPE, as appropriate.
More on what to do
1. If someone is choking, encourage them to cough.
If the blockage is severe, they may be holding their chest or neck and won't be able to speak, breathe or cough, and you will need to help them.
2. Bend them forwards and give up to 5 back blows to try and dislodge the blockage.
Hit them firmly on their back with the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades.
Hitting them on their back creates a strong vibration and pressure in the airway, which is often enough to dislodge the blockage. Dislodging the blockage will allow them to breathe again.
3. If they are still choking, give up to 5 abdominal thrusts: hold around the waist and pull inwards and upwards above their belly button.
Abdominal thrusts squeeze the air out of the lungs and may dislodge the blockage.
4. If they are still choking call 911.
Repeat the steps until they can breathe again or until help arrives.
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