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Chocking

Chocking

Choking can occur when a solid or small object enters a narrowed part of airway and becomes stuck.

On inhalation, object can be drawn tighter in and block air from entering lungs, a forceful thrust beneath ribs and up into diaphragm can pressurize air in chest and pop obstruction out. Chest compression over the breastbone can create enough pressure to expel an object.

Mild Obstruction

With a mild blockage, a person can speak, cough, or gag. Typically cleared naturally through forceful coughing allow someone to try to resolve the problem on his or her own, stay close and be ready to take action if things worsen.

Severe Obstruction

In severe obstruction, a person cannot take in enough air to dislodge the object. Signs of severe obstruction include;

  • Very little or no air exchange
  • Lack of sound
  • Inability to speak or cough forcefully
  • Person may hold his or her hands to the throat while attempting to clear obstruction

A Person without air exchange requires your help to survive.

Children and infants

Approach for child nearly the same as for adult,

  • Kneel behind child to deliver thrusts
  • Use less force
Choking in infant differentiated by sudden onset. Signs include;
  • Weak ineffective coughs
  • Lack of sound even when attempting to breathe

Approach for Infant

Assess Infant • Look at infant’s face • If infant has weak, ineffective coughs, or lack of sound even when clearly attempting to breathe, act quickly • If available, have a bystander activate Emergency Medical Service (EMS).

Give 5 Back Blows • Lay infant face down over your forearm with legs straddled and with head lower than the chest. Support the head by holding the jaw. • Using heel of other hand, give 5 back blows between shoulder blades.

Give 5 Chest Thrusts • Sandwich infant between your forearms and turn onto back. • Place 2 fingers on breastbone just below nipple line and give 5 chest thrusts • Repeat back blows and chest thrusts until infant can breathe normally.

If infant Unresponsive • Gently place infant on firm surface • If alone, provide 2 minutes of CPR before activating EMS yourself • Look into the mouth before giving rescue breaths. Remove any object seen • Continue CPR until signs of life, or another provider or EMS personnel take over

By Dr. Emmanuel Ahiable

Emergency Specialist