Signs of partial airway obstruction include the ability to speak, cry out, cough or respond to you. The person will also usually be able to breathe, though it may be slightly labored and the person may grow pale in the face. [3] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source In contrast, someone experiencing a total obstruction of the airway will not be able to speak, cry, cough or breathe. In addition, you may notice the person making the “choking sign” (both hands clutched to the throat) and his lips and fingernails may turn blue due to lack of oxygen. [4] X Research source
Reassure the person. Let him know that you are there and ready to help if need be. Encourage the person to cough to try to clear the blockage. Do not use back blows. Keep monitoring the situation and be prepared to help in the case that the person’s airway becomes fully blocked or the choking becomes severe.
If you are the only person present who can help the person, perform the first aid described below before calling emergency services. If someone else is available, get him to call for assistance. [6] X Research source
Stand behind the person and slightly off to one side. If you’re right-handed, stand to the left and if you’re left-handed, stand to the right. [7] X Research source www. nhs. uk/chq/pages/2301. aspx?categoryid=72 Support the person’s chest with one hand and lean the person forward so that the object blocking his airway will exit his mouth (as opposed to going further down the throat). [8] X Research source www. nhs. uk/chq/pages/2301. aspx?categoryid=72 Administer up to 5 forceful blows between the person’s shoulder blades with the heel of your hand (between your palm and wrist). Pause after each blow to see if the blockage has cleared. If not, give up to five abdominal thrusts (see below). [9] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Stand behind the choking victim. Put your arms around his waist and lean him forward. [11] X Research source Make a fist with your hand and place it directly above the person’s navel (belly button) but below the breastbone. [12] X Research source Put your other hand on top of your first, then thrust both hands backwards into their stomach with a hard, upward movement. [13] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Do this thrusting action up to five times. Check after each thrust to see if the blockage is gone. Stop if the victim loses consciousness. [14] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Look to see if there is something blocking the airway. If there is, you can also do a sweep through the person’s mouth with your finger. Only sweep if you see an object, otherwise you could push it further back.
If the object remains lodged and the person does not regain consciousness or respond, check whether the victim is breathing. Place your cheek close to the person’s mouth. For 10 seconds: Look to see if the chest is rising and falling, listen for breathing, and feel for the person’s breath against your cheek. [17] X Research source If the person is not breathing, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The chest compressions used in CPR may also dislodge the object. [18] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Send someone to dial emergency services or, if you are alone, call emergency services yourself and then return to help the person. Alternate between chest compressions, checking the airway, and performing rescue breathing while you wait for help to arrive. [19] X Research source www. nhs. uk/chq/pages/2301. aspx?categoryid=72 Give 2 breaths after every 30 chest compressions. [20] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Remember to recheck the mouth repeatedly while administering CPR. There may be some resistance to chest inflation until the object is dislodged.
Abdominal thrusts can also cause internal injuries and bruising. If you used this tactic or performed CPR on another person, he should be checked out by a physician afterwards. [22] X Research source www. nhs. uk/chq/pages/2301. aspx?categoryid=72
Make a fist. Place it on your abdomen just above your navel. Hold that fist with your other hand. Bend over a chair, table, counter or other solid object. Drive your fist in and up as described above. Repeat until the object is removed or until assistance arrives. Make sure the object is completely gone. Try to spit out the object and any of its remnants.
Abdominal thrusts can also cause serious injuries. If you have used this tactic on yourself, you should be examined by a physician afterwards. [26] X Research source www. nhs. uk/chq/pages/2301. aspx?categoryid=72
