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First aid for choking

  • January 22, 2018
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Choking occurs when any foreign object gets stuck in the throat or windpipe and it blocks the flow of air. Among adults food chunks often remain as the culprit, while young children usually gulp small objects. As choking blocks the supply of oxygen to the brain, first aid should be given at the earliest. If the choking person is unable to talk, cry or laugh forcefully, five-and-five approach is recommended. This approach involves the following steps:

  • Giving 5 back blows: By standing behind and to the side of an adult who is choking, one arm across the person's chest should be placed for support. If a child is choking, kneel down behind the child. Make the person to bend over at the waist as a result upper body is parallel with the ground and perform five separate back blows between the person's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
  • Giving 5 abdominal thrusts: If the person is still choking, abdominal thrust is performed. By standing behind the person, wrap your arms around the waist and make a fist with one hand above the person’s navel. Then by grasping the fist with your other hand, quickly pull upward. A total of 5 abdominal thrusts need to be performed until the block is not cleared.
  •  Alternating between 5 blows and 5 thrusts:  It is important to continue the cycles of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the object is coughed up or the person starts to breathe or cough.

Developed by Scientific Angle brought to you by Health Meter Services

Disclaimer: Don’t follow any suggestions in this article without consulting a qualified doctor

Sources: 1. “Choking: First aid” https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-choking/basics/art-20056637

2. “Choking Treatment.” https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/choking-treatment ”

 

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