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Medindia » First Aid » First Aid-Choking

Choking - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

Comments (5)

Choking

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   Overview
   Causes
   Symptoms
   Treatment
   Heimlich Maneuver
    Heimlich Maneuver Unconscious
   Heimlich Maneuver Infant
   Prevention

Overview

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
Wearing dentures
Being careless about children
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

Heimlich maneuver and CPR –2 techniques
If person is unable to talk, try Heimlich maneuver
Forces the diaphragm upto 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

Prevention

While eating, concentrate on the task
Do not eat quickly, without chewing
Supervise children while they eat
Give easily chewable, soft food to children
Do not leave tiny objects within the reach of children

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY(ICE)-Life Saving Measures

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Member Comments ( 5 )

what is the exact word for choking
(Posted by 22222, India Date : 3/14/2010 )

my baby 21 month old Jaydan Guy died at the hospital after he was rush to the emergency room choking on an unknown object. we live 2 minutes drive from the hospital and eventhough we reported he was choking doctors say his symtoms were consitent to that of a seizure and treated for that instead.. he continue to loose oxygen because his airways were never cleared. I never should have lost my baby..
(Posted by AnnaG, Belize Date : 2/12/2010 )

Choking could become a serious problem if you don't have the tools to save a life. People should know the basics of first aid in order to save people's life in an emergency situation :)
(Posted by ChokingFirstAid.com, India Date : 10/27/2009 )

For an unconscious victim, after foreign body has been removed. Check for breathing ,
Air
Breathing
Circulation

If absence of ABC, Phone for an ambulance and initiate CPR.

Remember CPR Can save lives, Do it well , Do right , and the patient gets a chance at life.
(Posted by SecretEver, Singapore Date : 6/16/2009 )

awesome answers........specially fr the students who r give headknokin projects....truly it helped me a lot
(Posted by pihu.s, India Date : 5/27/2009 )