choking - adult/ child

Question 1

Signs of Severe Airway Obstruction

Answer 1

→ Inability to cry or make sound
→ Unable to cough, or weak, ineffective coughing
→ Soft or high pitched sounds while inhaling
→ Difficulty breathing - ribs and chest retract
→ Bluish skin colour or lips
→ Loss of consciousness if blockage is not cleared
The casualty may be clutching or pointing to throat

Question 2

what’s the response for Airway Obstruction?

Answer 2

→ First ask “are you chocking?” If they can speak don’t interfere just encourage them to cough and reassure them. Continue to monitor
→ If they can’t talk bend the casualty forward and support the from of their chest while using other hand to give back blows between the shoulder blades. Check to see if each back blow releases the airway obstruction. If it hasn’t cleared after 5 blows try chest thrusts
→ Chest thrust = place 1 hand in the middle of the casualty’s back and the other arm across their chest. Using your hand on the chest, do 5 chest thrust like CPR compressions but slower and sharper. Check to see if the blockage has cleared between each thrust
If the casualty is still chocking call 000. alternate 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until help arrives

Question 3

what’s the response for Airway Obstruction for an infent?

Answer 3

Only perform the following steps if its severe airway obstruction
→ Lay the infant face down, along forearm
→ Hold the infant’s chest in your hand and support the jaw with your fingers
→ Point the infants head downwards, lower then the body
→ Give 5 sharp forceful blows between the infant’s shoulder blades
→ Use the heel of your free hand
→ Check to see if each back blow has relieved the airway obstruction
→ The aim is o relieve the obstruction with each blow
→ If it isn’t free after 5 blows turn the infant face up. Use your thigh or lap for support. Support the head
→ Place 2 fingers on the middle of the infant’s breastbone
→ Give up to 5 sharp thrusts down compressing the chest 1/3 the depth of the chest
→ Check to see if each chest thrust has relieved the airway obstruction
→ Continue series of 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object is dislodged or the infant loses consciouses in which case you commence CPR

When infant loses consciousness
→ Call 000
→ Give CPR
→ Try removing the blockage only if you can see it  Don't interfere if the infant is coughing forcefully, crying strongly, or is breathing adequately