CHOKING

Question 0

OBESE OR PREGNANT CASUALTIES CHOKING

Answer 0

If casualty is unable to cough or stops coughing deliver chest thrusts. (For obese or pregnant casualties)

1. Stand behind the casualty.
2. Put your arms under the casualty’s armpits, around the chest.
3. Make a fist with one hand.
   Place it (thumb side) in the centre of the chest. Grasp it with your other hand.
4. Give quick inward thrusts until the object is removed or casualty stops responding.

Question 1

CONSCIOUS ADULT CHOKING

Answer 1

• Enquire if the casualty is choking.
  •If casualty is able to cough, encourage to continue coughing.
• Reassure and do not leave unattended.

If casualty is unable to cough or stops coughing deliver abdominal thrusts.

1. Stand behind the casualty.
2. Wrap your arms under the casualty’s arms, around the abdomen.
3. Make a fist with one hand, place it (thumb side) slightly above the belly button, well below the breastbone. Grasp it with your other hand.
4. Give quick, inward and upward thrusts.
5. Continue giving thrusts until the object is out and the casualty can breathe, or until the casualty stops responding.

Question 2

CONSCIOUS CHOKING CHILD

Answer 2

• Enquire if the casualty is choking.
•If casualty is able to cough, encourage to continue coughing.
• Reassure and do not leave unattended.

If the child is unable to cough or stops coughing deliver Abdominal thrusts.

1. Kneel behind the child.
2. Lean the child forward with the head down as far as possible.
3. Wrap your arms under the child’s arms and around the abdomen.
4. Make a fist with one hand. Place it (thumb side) slightly above the belly button, well below the breastbone. Grasp it with your other hand.
5. Give quick, inward and upward thrusts.
6. Continue giving thrusts until the object is out and the child can breathe, or until the child stops responding.

Question 3

CONSCIOUS CHOKING BABY

Answer 3

If unable to cough or stops coughing, lay the baby face down along your forearm and deliver back slaps along with chest thrusts.

1. Lay the baby along your forearm, face down and support his chin with your hand.
2. Give 5 back slaps with the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades.
3. If the object does not come out after the 5 back slaps, turn the baby onto his back, supporting the head.
4. Give 5 CHEST THRUSTS W/ 2 FINGERS placed in the same location as chest compressions for CPR.
5. Repeat 5 BACK SLAPS and 5 CHEST THRUSTS until the object is out and the baby can breathe, or until he stops responding.

Question 4

UNCONSCIOUS CHOKING ADULT/CHILD/BABY

Answer 4

If the object that is blocking the airway is not removed the casualty will become unconscious.
If a choking adult, child or baby becomes unconscious:

1. Lay the casualty down on a firm, flat surface.
2. Check the mouth and clear if the object is present.
3. Open the airway.
4. Check for normal breathing.
5. If breathing is present, place in the recovery position.
6. If not breathing, start CPR.

7.Check the mouth after each set of compressions. If the object is visible, remove it.

8. Continue with CPR until the casualty responds or starts to breathe.