What to Do If a Person Is Choking and First Aid Treatment
Author:
CPR Select
Last updated:
11/4/2024
Choking is a frightening and potentially life-threatening situation that happens to anyone, anywhere. It occurs when a foreign object, such as food or a small toy, becomes lodged in a person's throat, blocking their airway. In such situations, immediate action is crucial to prevent severe injury or even death. This article will guide you through what to do if a person is choking and provide essential first aid treatment steps.
Choking due to severe upper airway obstruction is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires fast, appropriate action by anyone available.
First Aid for Unconscious Choking Person: If a choking victim becomes unconscious, you must perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation to save the person's life
First Aid for a Conscious Choking Person: If the person is conscious but cannot speak or cough, begin the Heimlich Maneuver, a system of abdominal thrusts that clears the throat.
What's the First Aid Treatment for a Conscious Choking Person?
Choking requires immediate action. If the person cannot speak or cough, begin the Heimlich Maneuver, a system of chest thrusts that work to clear the throat. The abdominal thrust and blow technique is a first aid procedure recommended by the American Red Cross to help alleviate someone's airway. This procedure is only done on someone who is choking and also conscious.
How To Do Heimlich Maneuver?
Here are the steps to perform heimlich manuever:
Stand behind the person.
Wrap your arms around their waist.
Make a fist with one hand and place it just above the navel.
Grab your fist with the other hand and thrust inward and upward.
Repeat until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive.
Who Invented Heimlich Maneuver?
Dr. Henry Heimlich invented the Heimlich maneuver in 1974. He discovered the remaining air in a person's lungs could be used to dislodge a foreign object from their esophagus using quick abdominal thrusts. Henry Heimlich intended his maneuver to be practiced by the public rather than exclusively by a health professional.
Can you use the Heimlich on yourself?
Yes, you can perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself. To do this, make a fist and place it just above your navel, then thrust inward and upward against your abdomen.
Should you perform the Heimlich on infants?
No, the Heimlich maneuver is not recommended for infants. Instead, perform a series of back blows and chest thrusts to help clear the airway. Here's how to do back blows and chest thrusts for infants:
Lay face down along forearm.
Deliver 5 firm blows between the shoulder blades.
Turn face up, placing two fingers below the nipple line.
Perform 5 chest thrusts.
Repeat Sequence until object is expelled or unconsciousness.
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What's the First Aid Treatment for an Unconscious Choking Person?
Treating an unconscious choking person is a critical and potentially life-saving situation. In such cases, you need to perform CPR:
Call for Help: The first step is to call 911 or your local emergency number to get professional assistance on the way. Time is crucial in such situations, so don't delay.
Position the Person: Carefully lay the unconscious person on their back on a firm surface. Ensure that their head and neck are in a neutral position, as this helps maintain an open airway.
Open the Airway: Gently tilt the person's head back and lift the chin to open their airway. This maneuver helps ensure that their tongue and any potential obstructions do not block the airway.
Check for Breathing: Look, listen, and feel for signs of breathing. Place your ear close to the person's mouth and nose, look for chest movement, and feel for air on your cheek. Do this for no more than 10 seconds. If there is no breathing or only irregular gasps, the person is not breathing effectively.
Perform Rescue Breaths: If the person is not breathing, provide rescue breaths. Pinch the person's nose shut, and give two slow breaths into their mouth, making sure their chest rises with each breath. Each breath should take about one second. Continue this process for about two minutes (or until professional help arrives).
Perform Chest Compressions: If the person's chest does not rise when you give rescue breaths or if you are unable to provide rescue breaths, perform chest compressions to try to dislodge the obstruction
Check for Object: After every 30 chest compressions, check for the obstructing object and attempt to remove it if visible and easily accessible. Do not blindly sweep the person's mouth with your fingers, as it push the object deeper.
Continue Cycles: Continue the cycle of 30 chest compressions and then checking for the object until it is removed, the person starts breathing on their own, or professional help arrives.
What Causes Choking?
Choking occurs when an object becomes lodged in the throat or windpipe, blocking the flow of air. Several factors contribute to choking incidents, including:
Eating Too Quickly: Swallowing large pieces of food or not chewing food thoroughly increases the risk of choking, especially in young children.
Eating Hard or Dry Foods: Foods that are hard, such as nuts or hard candies, or dry, such as crackers or bread, are difficult to swallow and becomes lodged in the throat.
Small Objects: Small objects, toys, or parts of toys poses a choking hazard, particularly for infants and young children who tend to put objects in their mouths.
Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), neurological disorders, or conditions that affect muscle control, increases the risk of choking.
Alcohol or Drug Use: Alcohol or drug intoxication impairs coordination and increase the likelihood of choking on food or foreign objects.
Chronic Conditions: Individuals with conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a history of strokes are at higher risk of choking.
Inhalation of Foreign Objects: Inhaled foreign objects, such as small toys or particles, blocks the airway and cause choking.
What are the Symptoms of Choking?
Difficulty speaking
Trouble breathing
Congested face turning to a gray-blue color
Distress signs, such as pointing to the throat or grasping the neck
Difficulty or noisy breathing
Skin, nails, and lips turning blue or dusky
Squeaky sounds when trying to breathe
Loss of consciousness
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The American Heart Association provides essential guidelines for responding to choking incidents:
Recognize Severe Airway Blockage: Look for signs like inability to breathe, cough, or speak; observe for the universal choking sign (hands on the throat).
Perform Abdominal Thrusts: Position behind the individual, place your fist above the belly button, and thrust inward and upward until the obstruction is dislodged or the person becomes unresponsive.
Seek Assistance: If unresponsive, call for help and instruct someone to call 911 and retrieve an AED; keep the phone on speaker mode.
Administer CPR if Necessary: Start with chest compressions, using a ratio of 2 breaths to 30 compressions; repeat until recovery or advanced help arrives.
Continue CPR Until Signs of Recovery: Maintain CPR until the person shows movement or speech, or until advanced medical assistance is available.
These guidelines are designed to save lives and should be followed promptly and efficiently in choking emergencies. Remember to remain calm and focused while providing assistance.
When to seek medical help?
You should seek medical help in the following situations:
The choking person becomes unconscious.
The object does not dislodge after several attempts at the Heimlich maneuver or alternative techniques.
There are signs of severe distress, such as blue or pale skin, inability to breathe, or a weak pulse.
The person shows symptoms of complications after choking, such as difficulty breathing or coughing up blood.
What should you do if a choking person is too large to lift?
If a choking person is too large to lift, use chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts. Stand behind the person and place your arms around their waist, making a fist with one hand and placing it just above the navel. Grab your fist with your other hand and perform quick inward thrusts to help expel the obstruction.
When should you stop performing the Heimlich maneuver?
Stop performing the Heimlich maneuver if the object is expelled, and the person can breathe normally again. Stop if the person becomes unconscious; in this case, transition to CPR as necessary.
What should you avoid doing when someone is choking?
When someone is choking, avoid slapping them on the back or placing your fingers in their mouth. These actions pushes the object deeper into the airway or cause injury. It’s crucial to stay calm and follow the appropriate choking response techniques instead.
What household items or foods commonly cause choking?
Common choking hazards include small foods like grapes, nuts, popcorn, hard candies, and hot dogs, which blocks the airway. Household items like coins, small toys, and batteries poses a risk, particularly for young children who might put them in their mouths.
How can you prevent choking incidents in high-risk groups?
To prevent choking incidents in high-risk groups, ensure food is cut into small, manageable pieces and encourage chewing thoroughly before swallowing. Supervision during meals is essential, especially for young children and the elderly, who have difficulty with swallowing.
What should you do if a choking person is wearing restrictive clothing or accessories?
If a choking person is wearing restrictive clothing or accessories, loosen or remove these items immediately. This helps facilitate the Heimlich maneuver or other interventions, allowing for better access and mobility during the emergency.
How does choking prevention differ between home and public settings?
Choking prevention in public settings involves increased awareness and training for staff in restaurants and schools. At home, parents or guardians should supervise children closely during meals and educate family members on choking hazards and emergency response.
How does CPR differ when performed on a person who was choking?
CPR on a person who was choking involves checking for airway obstruction first. If the airway is blocked, perform the Heimlich maneuver before initiating chest compressions. If the person becomes unconscious, ensure you open the airway and check for an object before proceeding with CPR.
What should you do if you suspect an object is still lodged after initial aid?
If you suspect an object is still lodged after initial aid, seek immediate medical attention. Even if the person seems to be breathing better, it’s essential to have a medical professional evaluate them to ensure the obstruction has been cleared effectively.
Why is Choking Response a Critical Component of First Aid Training?
Choking response is critical in first aid training because choking is a common and potentially life-threatening emergency. It occurs suddenly and in various settings, requiring immediate intervention. Proper training equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize choking, assess its severity, and administer appropriate techniques to clear the airway obstruction. By including choking response in first aid training, individuals can act quickly and effectively in emergencies, increasing the likelihood of saving lives.
How Does First Aid Training Prepare You to Handle Choking Emergencies?
First aid training prepares individuals to handle choking emergencies by providing comprehensive instruction on recognizing, assessing, and responding to choking incidents. Participants learn to recognize the signs of choking, such as difficulty breathing and the inability to speak or cough. They are taught various techniques for clearing the airway obstruction, including the Heimlich maneuver for adults and children and back blows and chest thrusts for infants. Additionally, training covers the administration of CPR if the choking victim becomes unconscious. By practicing these skills in a controlled environment, individuals gain the confidence and competence to respond effectively to choking emergencies in real-life situations.
What Techniques Are Taught During First Aid Training to Manage Choking?
During first aid training, several techniques are taught to manage choking emergencies:
Heimlich Maneuver (Abdominal Thrusts): Used for adults and children, this involves applying upward and inward thrusts to the abdomen to dislodge the obstructing object.
Back Blows and Chest Thrusts: These techniques are specifically for infants and involve delivering firm blows between the shoulder blades and chest compressions to clear the airway obstruction.
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): If the choking victim becomes unconscious, first aid training includes instruction on performing chest compressions and rescue breaths according to the latest CPR guidelines.
By mastering these techniques, individuals are prepared to respond promptly and effectively to choking emergencies, potentially saving lives.
Why Should Parents Receive First Aid Training Focused on Infant Choking?
Parents should receive first aid training focused on infant choking for several reasons:
High Risk: Infants are at a higher risk of choking due to their smaller airways and tendency to put objects in their mouths.
Immediate Response: Parents need to know how to respond quickly and appropriately if their infant begins choking, as delays in treatment have serious consequences.
Specialized Techniques: The techniques for clearing the airway obstruction in infants differ from those used for older children and adults. Parents must learn these specialized techniques to provide effective assistance.
Prevention Strategies: First aid training educates parents on strategies to prevent choking incidents in infants, such as avoiding small toys and foods that pose choking hazards. By receiving training focused on infant choking, parents feel more confident in their ability to protect their child's safety and well-being.
First aid for choking savse a person’s life. When a person is choking, the airway is blocked, so there’s not enough oxygen reaching the lungs. And without oxygen, brain damage occurs in as little as 4 to 6 minutes. Using CPR and abdominal thrust procedure is simple to learn and is often taught during CPR and First Aid training.
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Sources:
Sumner SM, Grau PE. Emergency! First aid for choking. Nursing. 1982 Jul;12(7):40-9. doi: 10.1097/00152193-198207000-00010. PMID: 6920570.
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