Choking occurs when a foreign object becomes lodged in the throat or windpipe, blocking the flow of air. This serious accident occurs frequently with toddlers and young children because they tend to put objects in their mouths. Because choking cuts off oxygen to the brain, you must administer first aid as quickly as possible.
How to identify when someone is choking?
Airways allow the circulation of air between lungs and the exterior. If the air cannot circulate freely, oxygen does not reach the lungs and the victim's life is immediately threatened. It is thus essential to eject the foreign object as soon as possible.
Hold the victim and administer five strong pats on the back, between the shoulder blades. The goal is to provoke a cough that will unblock and eject the foreign object that is obstructing the airway.
This maneuver has been effective when the foreign object is ejected (in that case, take it away from the victim's mouth immediately to prevent him from swallowing it again), and when the victim begins to cough and breathe. In that case, have the victim rest and reassure him. You must then call emergency services for medical attention.
You must perform the Heimlich maneuver; the goal is to increase lung pressure and allow the foreign object to be expelled from the airway.
Keep alternately administering five pats to the back and five abdominal thrusts. Stop the maneuvers as soon as the foreign object is ejected or if the victim faints, and alert emergency services as soon as possible.
Use the same maneuvers as for the adult with care: force used must be appropriate to the weight and age of the child.
Take a seated position and place the infant face down on your forearm. Rest your forearm on your thigh, then thump the infant gently but firmly five times on the middle of the back using the heel of your hand. The combination of gravity and blows to the back should release the foreign object.
If this doesn't work, hold the infant face up on your forearm with its head lower than the trunk. Using two fingers placed at the center of the infant's breastbone and administer five quick chest compressions.
If breathing doesn't resume, repeat the blows to the back and chest thrusts. Call for emergency medical help.
If one of these techniques opens the airway but the infant doesn't resume breathing, begin infant CPR.
Position your hands a little bit higher than with a normal Heimlich maneuver, at the base of the breastbone, just above the joining of the lowest ribs. Proceed as with the Heimlich maneuver, pressing hard into the chest, with a quick thrust; repeat until the food or other blockage is dislodged or the person becomes unconscious.
