Are you choking?
Choking is common at mealtimes. Choking occurs when a foreign body e.g. a piece of food, piece of Lego or anything else that is of a size to block our airway. For young children, supervision at mealtimes and food preparation can be essential. For round fruits (e.g. grapes), cut lengthways and into quarters. For meat products, cut into short narrow strips.
Choking is silent
Be curious that someone is choking when then can not talk or cough loudly. Babies and younger children may not be able to cry or make sounds.
If the person is making sounds and are of an age and stage where there can understand and are able to – encourage them to cough.
If the person is silent and still conscious, call 999 immediately or ask someone to do this for you. Use the speakerphone function on your mobile phone.
In babies and infants under the age of one, support the head by placing a thumb on one side of their face and two fingers on the other (to make a V shape). Turn them face down with their head lower than their bottom, resting them along your forearm and lap. Give UP TO 5 back blows, short and sharp between the shoulder blades.
If the 5 back blows are ineffective and the baby or infant is still conscious, give UP TO 5 chest thrusts. To do this place 2 fingers in the breastbone in the centre of the chest. Push downwards short and sharp up to 5 times. If the obstruction is not removed and the baby or infant is still conscious, alternate the sequence of back blows and chest thrusts. Stop at any time there are signs that the obstruction has been removed. If the baby or infant becomes unconscious, start CPR.
In children, young people or adults over the age of 1 years, give up to 5 back blows, short and sharp between the shoulder blades. Consider age and stage. You may be able to stand behind them, or you may have to kneel next to them to do this effectively. If your 5 back blows are ineffective and the person is still conscious, give abdominal thrusts. To do this, move behind them and lean them forward. Place a clenched fist between the navel (belly button) and the bottom of the breastbone. Cover your fist with your other hand, and pull sharply inwards and upwards, up to 5 times. Alternate the sequence of back blows and abdominal thrusts.
Stop at any times there are signs that the obstruction has been removed.
If the person becomes unconscious, start CPR.
Recognising and treating choking is covered as standard in all of our life saving training. Our training is open to all, and can be adapted to your needs.
Contact us to learn more info@angliacpr.co.uk