Choking

Question 1

What is the difference between a mildly blocked airway and a severely blocked airway?

Answer 1

A mildly blocked airway allows some air in. They can still speak, cough and breathe. Encourage them to cough the obstruction up themselves.
A severely blocked airway doesn’t allow any air in, this is a serious emergency.

Question 2

What do you do if a conscious person looks like they are choking?

Answer 2

1. Assess airway blockage. Ask, “are you choking?”
2. Holler for help. Reassure them and explain. Call 911 or have someone else do it.
3. Give 5 backblows.
4. Give 5 abdominal thrusts.
5. Repeat until the obstruction is removed or the person becomes unconscious.

Question 3

What do you do if the choking person becomes unconscious?

Answer 3

1. You have already called 911
2. Landmark and give 30 compressions
3. Open mouth and look for obstruction. If you see one, try to remove it with a hooked finger.
4. Open the airway with the head tilt chin lift method.
5. Try to give a breath
6. Repeat until you are successful or medical help takes over

Question 4

What do you do if an adult is found unconscious?

Answer 4

1. Check for hazards
2. Assess responsiveness and check breathing
3. Call 911 or have someone call for you
4. Landmark and give 30 compressions
5. Open the airway
6. Try to give a breath, if it doesn’t go in, reposition, check seals and try again. If the chest still doesn’t rise, conclude the airway is blocked by something.
7. Open the mouth and look for an obstruction. If you see something, use a hooked finger to remove it.
8. Repeat sequences until successful or medical help takes over.

Question 5

What do you do when the person starts to breathe?

Answer 5

Place them in the recovery position. Monitor the breathing. Stay with them until medical help takes over.