Choking
CHOKING
Description
Every year, about 3800 people die from choking. A person chokes when a foreign object (food, small toy parts) obstructs the airways in the narrowest part – the vocal cords. Recognizing it in time and providing effective initial aid can save some of those who are choking.
Classification and causes
Choking can be complete or partial. During complete choking, the foreign object completely blocks the airways, during partial choking, there is a gap in the airways, so the patient can breathe.
Choking most often occurs while eating. Swallowing large poorly chewed pieces of food, intoxication, playing, crying, laughing, or talking when food or foreign objects are in the mouth increases this risk.
Adults most often choke on meat. Children can choke on a variety of food products and foreign objects.
How to recognize?
Partial choking
A choking person remains conscious, can cough and talk.
Complete choking
The victim is asked, “Are you choking?”, “Can you speak?” If the airways are completely blocked, the person will not be able to speak. Action should be taken in the following cases.
1. The person shows the universal choking sign: clutching the throat with the thumb and forefinger.
2. Unable to speak when asked: “Can you speak?”.
3. Cough is weak and ineffective.
4. Wheezing occurs while breathing.
5. Respiratory distress worsens.
6. The victim starts turning blue.
7. The person loses consciousness.
First aid
Objectives:
1. Recognize choking.
2. Restore the patency of the airways.
Actions:
Partial choking
1. Observe the choking person, do not leave them alone.
2. Coughing is the best way to remove a foreign object from the airways.
3. Do not hit the back.
4. Do not perform the Heimlich maneuver.
5. If initial resuscitation is delayed, call emergency medical services.
Complete choking
1. Give five back blows.
2. If the patient is still choking, perform five abdominal thrusts.
3. Repeat these actions alternately until the person coughs or loses consciousness.
4. When the patient loses consciousness, start CPR (see CPR)
Risks and notes
A choking person can be difficult to control, may thrash around, and resist help. In this case, do not try to help the patient by force, observe them. When the patient loses consciousness, start CPR (see CPR).