Choking
- Occurs when foreign object is lodged in windpipe.
- This blocks oxygen supply to brain.
- In adults, choking occurs due to food.
- In children it also occurs on swallowing an object.
- Choking could be fatal, if first aid not given.
Causes
- Swallowing a large piece of food.
- Swallowing food that is not well chewed.
- Eating food quickly.
- Eating and talking.
- Consuming alcohol before a meal. It slows down your reflexes and muscle coordination so the food may lodge into wind pipe.
- Wearing dentures.
- Being careless about children. Children should not be given small Toys.
- Walking / playing with food in mouth.
Symptoms
- Hands will grasp throat
- Breathlessness
- Noisy breathing
- Inability to cough
- Skin, nails and lips may turn blue
- Loss of consciousness
Treatment
- Use 2 techniques – Heimlich maneuver and CPR.
- If person is unable to talk, try Heimlich maneuver
- Forces the diaphragm up to the lungs
- Creates an artificial cough
Heimlich maneuver on a standing person
- Stand behind the person
- Form a fist with one hand
- Place fist below ribcage, thumb inward
- Hold the fist with other hand
- Keep arms off ribcage
- Give four inward and upward thrust
- Repeat till the object is ejected
- Same method is used for a child too
Heimlich maneuver On an Unconscious Person
- If person is lying down, straddle the person with your knees
- Place heel of one hand above waistline
- Place other hand over the first
- Give four inward and upward thrust
- Repeat till object is coughed out
Heimlich maneuver On an Infant
- Place your forearm over your raised knees
- Place the infant face down over your fore arm
- Give four blows using the heel of your hand
- Repeat till object comes out
- If it does not work, turn the baby
- Place two fingers an inch below the imaginary line connecting nipples
- Give four thrusts forcefully to bring out the object
- Repeat if required