7.Choking can result in unconsciousness and
cardiopulmonary
cardiopulmonary
arrest. It is often caused by food or other foreign body lodged
in the throat (airway). Indeed,choking caused by foreign
body airway obstruction accounts for about 3,000 deaths
each year. The recognition and proper management of
choking is of key importance to safety in homes, restaurants,
and other public places.
If you observe a “conscious”
ADULT choking:
-Ask, “Are you choking?”
-If the victim can speak,
cough, or breathe, DO NOT
INTERFERE.
-If the victim CANNOT speak,
cough, or breathe, give sub
diaphragmatic abdominal
thrusts (the Heimlich
maneuver) until the foreign
body is expelled or the
victim becomes unconscious.
(Or in case of extreme obesity
or late pregnancy, give chest thrusts.)
-Be persistent.
-Continue uninterrupted until the obstruction is relieved or
advanced life
support is available. In either case the victim should be
examined by a
physician as soon as possible.
If the Victim
Becomes
Unconscious:
-Position victim on
back,
arms by side.
-Call out “Help!”
-Perform tongue-
jaw lift and finger
sweep to try to
remove the
foreign body.
-Open airway
(head-tilt/chin-lift),
and attempt
rescue breathing.
-If unsuccessful,
give 6-10 sub
diaphragmatic
abdominal thrusts
(the Heimlich
maneuver).
-Repeat sequence: perform finger sweep, open the airway,
attempt rescue breathing, and
perform abdominal thrusts — until successful.