Choking is caused by an obstruction in the throat that reduces airflow. In most cases of choking among adults, the cause is a piece of food stuck in the windpipe. In children, however, this accident is triggered by toys, coins, or other small objects that remain in the throat or trachea. Sometimes it is the result of a traumatic injury, alcohol consumption, or edema due to a severe allergic response. Without first aid, the lack of air causes serious brain damage and even death from asphyxiation. If you or another person is choking, knowing how to act is crucial.
Note: The techniques described in this article are suitable for helping adult victims and children over one year of age. For infants under 12 months, read this guide.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Rescue Someone
Step 1. Assess the situation
Make sure the victim is choking and check if the airways are partially or completely blocked. If the person has mild choking (the throat is partially blocked), then the best thing to do is to let them cough to clear the obstruction on their own.
- The signs of partial suffocation are the preservation of the ability to speak, to scream, to cough or to respond to stimuli. The victim should be able to breathe, albeit with difficulty, and may turn very pale in the face.
- If a person suffers from a complete airway obstruction, on the other hand, they are unable to speak, cry, cough or breathe. He will also assume the classic "choking position" (with both hands around his throat), and will have bluish lips and nails due to lack of oxygen.
Step 2. Ask the person if they are choking
If he answers you verbally, then wait. An individual who is truly choking is unable to speak, but will shake his head to say yes or no to you. Remember that you should not hit a victim of partial suffocation in the back, as there is a risk of completely wedging an object that previously only partially closed the airways. If the person responds:
- Reassure her and let her know that you are available to help if needed;
- Encourage her to cough to clear her throat, don't hit her on the back;
- Monitor the situation and be prepared to intervene in case the obstruction becomes complete or the choking very severe.
Step 3. Intervene with first aid maneuvers
If the victim is conscious but shows severe choking or the airways are completely blocked, then let them know that you will try to help. You should always tell a conscious victim what you intend to do, because this way they can let you know if your help is welcome.
If you are the only person present who can help the person, perform the procedures described below before calling the ambulance. In case someone else is nearby, order them to call for help
Step 4. Do some back percussion
The following instructions are suitable when the person is standing or sitting.
- Stand behind the victim, slightly off to the side. If you are right handed, move slightly to the left and vice versa if you are left handed.
- Support her chest with one hand as you ask her to lean forward so that the object can come out of her mouth instead of getting further stuck in her throat.
- Hit her back up to 5 times using the base of her palm and aiming for the center of the shoulder blades. Pause after each stroke to check that the airways have cleared. If not, do up to five abdominal compressions (see next step).
Step 5. Switch to abdominal compressions by practicing the Heimlich maneuver
This is an emergency technique that should only be performed on adults or children over 12 months of age. Do not practice it on infants who have not turned one year old.
- Stand behind the victim;
- Wrap his waist with your arms and make him lean forward;
- Close one hand into a fist and place it just above the navel but below the breastbone;
- Place your other hand over your fist and then tighten your grip by bringing your hands inward and upward.
- Do up to 5 of these compressions. After each movement check that the obstruction has been pushed out and stop if the victim loses consciousness.
Step 6. Practice the modified Heimlich maneuver for pregnant women and obese people
Place your hands higher than described above. You should place them at the base of the breastbone, where the lower ribs meet. Press firmly into the person's chest by performing the same motion as the traditional inward and upward maneuver. Continue in this way until the obstruction is expelled, the victim no longer suffocates or loses consciousness.
Step 7. Make sure the foreign body is completely out of the throat
When the airways are open again, part of the object that caused the choking may have remained in the throat. If the victim can do this, ask her to spit out the obstruction and see if she can breathe easily.
Look them in the mouth to check if the blockage is still present. In this case, pull the object out with a quick arched motion of a finger. Only perform this type of movement, otherwise you run the risk of pushing the element even deeper
Step 8. Monitor the victim to make sure they are breathing normally again
Once the object has been extracted, most people resume their normal breathing rhythm. If this is not the case or the person is unconscious, you must proceed as indicated in the next step.
Step 9. Help an unconscious person
If the choking victim has lost consciousness, lay them on their back. At this point he tries to free her throat as much as possible. If you can see the object that is blocking your breathing, use your finger and try to pull it out with a "hook" motion to get it out of your mouth. Do not proceed with this maneuver if you cannot see the obstruction. Be very careful not to inadvertently push the block deeper.
- If the element gets stuck in the throat and the person does not regain consciousness or does not react, then check if they can breathe. Put your cheek close to his lips. Observe for 10 seconds if his chest lifts, try to hear breathing noises and check once again if the air hits your cheek.
- If the person is not breathing, intervene with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Chest compressions could unblock the obstruction.
- Ask someone to call an emergency number or, if you are alone, call them yourself and then immediately return to the victim. Perform chest compressions, check the airways, and administer artificial respirations while you wait for the ambulance to arrive. Take two breaths for every 30 chest compressions. Remember to check the victim's mouth several times while performing CPR.
- You should feel some airway resistance when you give artificial respiration until the object is removed.
Step 10. Take the person to the doctor
After a choking episode, the victim may experience a persistent cough, have trouble breathing and complain of a foreign body sensation in the throat; for all these reasons he should go to the emergency room.
Abdominal compressions could cause bruising and damage to internal organs. If you have opted for this technique or have performed CPR on another person, make sure that person goes to the hospital for a check-up
Method 2 of 2: Help Yourself
Step 1. Call the ambulance immediately
If you are alone and choking, call 118 or another emergency number immediately. Even if you are unable to speak, most emergency services dispatch staff to verify all phone calls.
Step 2. Try to perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself
You won't be able to impart the same force as if you were doing it to another subject, but it is worth a try to unlock the object that is choking you.
- Make a hand into a fist. Place it on your stomach above your navel;
- Grab the fist with the other hand;
- Lean forward on a chair, table, or other solid object
- Push your fist in and up as described above.
- Repeat the process until you remove the foreign item or help arrives.
- Make sure the material blocking your throat has come out completely. Spit out the object or what's left of it.
Step 3. Go to the emergency room
If you have a persistent cough, difficulty breathing, or a foreign body sensation in your throat, you should seek immediate medical help.
