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DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this document has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable at the time and is presented here as a study aid and for general information use only. This information is not intended to replace or supercede the information or procedures outlined in your first aid textbook, other officially issued study materials or government published acts or legislative documents.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, the authors are not responsible for any loss, liability, damage or injury that may be suffered or incurred by any person in connection with the information contained on this site, or by anyone who receives first aid treatment from a reader or user of this information. |
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Choking is when a person’s airway is partly or completely blocked resulting in minimal or no airflow to the lungs. If the foreign body is removed and victim is not breathing, begin the primary survey for ABC):
AIRWAY - open the airway;
BREATHING - if still no breaths, attempt rescue breathing.
CIRCULATION - if no pulse, perform chest compressions.
SIGNS OF CHOKING
Choking with a good air exchange:
- Able to speak
- Signs of distress – eyes are showing person is afraid
- Harsh coughing
- Wheezing and gagging between coughing
- Face is red
- Person is grabbing at their throat
Choking with poor or no air exchange
- Not able to speak
- Signs of distress – eyes are showing person is afraid
- Weak or not able to cough with sound
- No noise when trying to breath or a high pitched sound
- Face discoloration – pale, blue lips and ears
- Person is grabbing at their throat
- Semiconsciousness or Unconsciousness
PREVENTION
Adults:
- Cut food into small pieces.
- Chew food slowly and thoroughly, especially if wearing dentures.
- Avoid laughing and talking during chewing and swallowing.
- Avoid excessive intake of alcohol before and during meals
Infants and Children:
- Keep marbles, beads, thumbtacks, and other small objects out of their reach and prevent them from walking, running, or playing with food or toys in their mouths.
FIRST AID FOR CHOKING
If you observe a “conscious” adult choking:
1. Begin ESM (Emergency Scene Management)
2. If casualty can cough forcefully, speak or breathe, do not touch them. Encourage them to continue coughing to get the foreign object out. Always stand at a 45 degree angle to the front of the casualty while encouraging them to cough. Always get medical help whether the object comes out or stays as it could have done internal damage to the casualty.
If there is poor air exchange, ask the person to cough. If the person cannot cough, speak or breathe use Abdominal thrusts to remove the blockage.
3. Abdominal Thrusts: Stand behind the choking casualty and be ready to support them in case they become unconscious by placing one leg between theirs. Use the correct hand position to give abdominal thrusts to try to remove the blockage.
Find the top of the hip bone (pelvis), and slide your middle finger across the front of the casualty until it rests in their navel.
Make a fist and gently rotate your hand, by pivoting on your flattened thumb.
Place the palm of your other had over your fist.
Hold the fist and press inward/upward (half circular motion) with a sudden, forceful thrust called an abdominal thrust. Make sure only the fist is used and that there is no force against the ribs with your forearms. Avoid trying to rotate your fist at the wrist while doing this.
4. Give the Heimlich manoeuvre until the object is removed or the casualty becomes unconscious. If the airway is clear continue to give casualty care. If the casualty becomes unconscious do not panic, continue first aid following the next step.
5. When the casualty is unconscious, lower them to the ground and send someone to call for medical help. Protect the head and neck as you lower the casualty.
6. Open their mouth and look for any foreign object. If you see something, use your hooked little finger (pinky) to remove it by pulling it up against the cheek, but be aware that the object may be sharp. If possible, you should have gloves on before putting your finger in a casualty’s mouth.
7. Once the object is removed, determine if the casualty is breathing. If not breathing, try to blow into the casualty’s mouth.
Push back on the forehead and lift the jaw
Seal your mouth around casualty’s mouth
Pinch the casualty’s nostrils
Blow slowly – watching for the chest to rise (this will indicate if your breath is going down the airway)
If the chest does not rise, reposition the head and make sure the nostrils are sealed and the mouth and try again. If the chest rises, give another breath and check for signs or circulation and movement, pulse at the neck, any noises, coughs, gestures in response to the breaths. If the casualty is breathing effectively, give ongoing casualty care.
Self help for choking
1) Don’t panic. If there are any people around get their attention by grabbing your throat.
2) Try to cough forcefully to cough out object. Don’t let anyone slap your back, this can make it go down further.
3) Do the abdominal thrust procedure for persons alone to yourself if not one is around to do it.
4) If you are alone at home, be sure to go outside before attempting the abdominal thrust.
Abdominal Thrust maneuver for persons alone
- Put your fist, thumb-side in, midline of your or your casualty’s midline of the abdomen just above the hips.
- Hold the fist with our other hand and pull inward/upward forcefully.
- Give abdominal thrusts until you can cough forcefully, breathe or speak/
- Alternatively, locate a good solid chair with a medium height back. Stand over the chair and let your weight drop on the chair back as it compresses your abdomen.
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