Last Updated On: October 30, 2024
Choking emergencies can strike anytime and to anyone, making you particularly frightened and seeking immediate action. Choking can be hazardous as it can result in brain damage when the victim doesn’t receive oxygen within four to six minutes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports choking as one of the leading causes of unintentional deaths in the United States.
Choking incidents may arise for various reasons, such as swallowing large pieces of food or accidentally inhaling foreign objects. The knowledge and ability to perform the choking first aid can be a decisive factor in such critical situations.
Training and familiarization with the life-saving techniques ensure that you are well-prepared to respond confidently in choking emergencies. Discover the step-by-step guide on what to do if you find yourself close to someone who starts choking.
The Heimlich maneuver, or abdominal thrusts, is one of the widely recognized and well-established life-saving techniques designed to dislodge foreign objects lodged in the airway. The quick and straightforward execution makes it a crucial skill that any individual can readily master. To ensure its effectiveness, follow the below guide on how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver steps properly.
Before you enter the emergency scenario, quickly evaluate the situation to confirm whether the victim is choking or unconscious. Recognizing choking incidents includes symptoms such as the inability to speak, difficulty breathing, paroxysmal cough, and more.
Once you are clear about the situation, position yourself behind the choking victim and maintain a stable stance. Identify the victim’s navel, located between the bottom of the rib cage and the top of the hips.
Make a first with one hand and place the thumb side of the fist against the victim’s abdomen, just above the navel region. Using your other hand, firmly grasp the first you already placed on the victim’s abdomen.
Implement a quick upward motion. Thrust your hands inward and upward into the victim’s abdomen. The movement increases the pressure in the intra-abdominal region, forcing air out from the lungs to expel the obstructing object in the throat and to prevent hypoxia.
If the object is not expelled after the first thrust, repeat the procedure until you are assured that the victim’s airway is clear. If the choking victim becomes unconscious, slowly lower them to the ground while maintaining robust support. Call for emergency medical help immediately and repeat the steps until they arrive.
If the victim remains unresponsive after the administration of the Heimlich maneuver and emergency medical help has been called. Initiate CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) if necessary, with chest compressions and rescue breaths until the medical help arrives.
While effective as choking first aid, the Heimlich maneuver can be tailored for specific age groups and body types. Adapting the techniques to suit such needs and considerations ensures the most appropriate and secure response in the event of choking emergencies. Let us explore the way of handling choking in different age groups.
When you are dealing with a choking infant, it is important to follow a proactive yet modified approach to ensure their safety. Here’s a brief step-by-step guide for infant choking emergencies.
The Heimlich maneuver for children (above one-year-old) and adults is similar, with slight modifications to suit their body size. If you are performing the technique on children, you should stand behind the child and place your fist above their navel. Use a quick upward thrust to create intra-abdominal pressure. Since the technique is administered above the navel in children, it will be effective for dislodging the obstructive object from their smaller airways.
Once you see an adult choking, you should begin with five quick and forceful back blows between the shoulder blades to see if this helps dislodge the object. If this is not effective, you can begin with the Heimlich maneuver.
If you find the victim becomes unconscious while choking, make sure to place them on the ground and begin the chest compressions while having the other laypersons call for emergency services.
When you are dealing with a choking emergency with pregnant women, make sure to keep in mind their different anatomy due to the growing fetus. In such situations, it is not advisable to perform traditional abdominal thrusts on them. Instead, you can administer upward thrusts with the lower part of the sternum (breastbone) to create adequate pressure to dislodge the foreign object in pregnant women.
Performing the maneuver on yourself is challenging, but it has become a vital life skill to learn in certain situations where no other people are around to assist you. It is also crucial to keep in mind that you should only self-administer the abdominal thrusts if you are genuinely choking and unable to breathe. Here are some choking self-help tips to perform the maneuver on yourself.
As an initial step in choking first aid for yourself, determine if you are genuinely choking and unable to breathe. You may find yourself with symptoms such as clutching your throat, being unable to speak, breathe, or cough, and a bluish discoloration of the lips and face.
If you have any chance of any bystander hearing you or coming to your aid, ask them to call for emergency help immediately.
Look for a solid object or surface like the back of a chair, a countertop, or the edge of a table that can be used to deliver abdominal thrusts.
Stand or position your body in a way that allows you to lean your upper abdomen onto the chosen object. For instance, bend over the chair if you use the back to deliver abdominal thrusts.
Performing the self-Heimlich maneuver on yourself can be uncomfortable and might lead to soreness or bruising. However, make sure to prioritize clearing the obstruction out of your airway.
Once you have successfully cleared the obstruction, seek immediate medical assistance to ensure there is no internal damage or risk of infection.
If the choking continues to worsen after the unsuccessful attempt of the Heimlich maneuver, try repeating the three cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts alternatively. However, keep in mind that it is not advisable for infants and pregnant women. In the meantime, you can ask other people to call the emergency helpline or medical professional for medical assistance.
If the person falls unconscious, then you need to make them lie on the floor and apply pressure on their chest using your hands. Moreover, if the condition persists, then it is wise to take the victim to a nearby hospital at the earliest.
If you are alone and choking or find any other person choking, call 911 or your local emergency service right away. It is quite obvious that witnessing an adult or a child choking can intimidate you. But knowing how to start with choking first aid will help you avert the potential complications. Remember to keep calm and act immediately as you call for medical help for choking.
Choking may happen suddenly to anyone from infancy to old age. So prepare yourself with choking first aid training so that you are able to act quickly and properly at home or when you are passing through public places. With the medical practice prevailing now and personal guidance, you may be able to master the proper techniques and valuable knowledge regarding choking emergencies and preventive measures.
Choking first aid training will enable you to make proper decisions, hence creating a safer environment for yourself and other people. However, you should never forget that after the maneuver has been successfully done, proper medical attention is required for a proper evaluation and further management. Be vigilant and act promptly by observing hazard signs to prevent potential tragedies and foster safety within your community.
Let’s learn the Heimlich maneuver together and be prepared to save as many lives as circumstances may befall.
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