Choking First Aid for Adults 1

RELIEF OF CHOKING This presentation will discuss common causes of choking and actions to relieve choking – also known as foreign-body airway obstruction (FBAO) 2

RELIEF OF CHOKING Learning Objective: At the completion of this presentation the participant will be able to show how to relieve choking in the responsive and unresponsive adult victim. 3

RELIEF OF CHOKING  The key to a successful outcome is the early recognition of an airway obstruction.  Foreign bodies can cause either mild or severe airway obstruction 4

CAUSES OF CHOKING  Eating (especially eating and laughing at the same time, eating too fast, and failing to chew food well enough.)  Alcohol and drug consumption (even a small amount affects awareness.)  Trauma to the head and face (bleeding can cause choking)  Small objects swallowed by children (beads, toys) 5

RELIEF OF CHOKING  Signs of mild airway obstruction are:  Good air exchange  Responsive and can cough forcefully  May wheeze between coughs  As long as good air exchange continues, simply encourage the victim to continue spontaneous coughing and breathing efforts.  Do not interfere with the victim’s attempts to expel the foreign body  Stay with the victim and monitor the situation  If the mild obstruction persists, activate the emergency response system (911) 6

RELIEF OF CHOKING It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of a severe airway obstruction.  Poor or no air exchange  Weak ineffective cough or no cough  High-pitched noise while inhaling/no noise at all  Increased respiratory difficulty  Cyanosis  Unable to speak  Making the universal choking sign  Unable to move air 7

RELIEF OF CHOKING 8 Clutching the neck with the thumb and fingers

RELIEF OF CHOKING Step 1: Ask, "Are you choking?" Stay calm, and try to keep the victim calm as well. Always ask the person if you can help them before preforming the Heimlich (abdominal thrusts). 9

RELIEF OF CHOKING Step 2: It is best to point to a specific person and tell him to call 911. Instruct the person to tell the operator that someone is choking. Don't just call out for anyone to call 911, as bystanders may freeze or panic in emergency situations. 10

ABDOMINAL THRUSTS Step 3: Position yourself behind the choking person. 11

RELIEF OF CHOKING Step 4: Place the thumb side of your fist against the victim’s abdomen, in the midline, slightly above the navel and well below the breastbone. 12

RELIEF OF CHOKING Step 5: Grab your fist with your other hand and press your fist into the victim’s abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Give each thrust with a separate and distinct movement. 13

HEIMLICH MANEUVER  On an Adult

RELIEF OF CHOKING Step 6: Repeat thrusts until the object is expelled from the airway or the victim becomes unresponsive.  If a choking victim becomes unresponsive, you know that choking caused the symptoms.  Activate 911, open the airway, remove the object if you see it, and begin CPR.  With choking victims, look for an object if they are unconscious. If you see an object, remove it with your fingers. If you do not see an object, keep doing CPR. 15

RELIEF OF CHOKING If the victim is pregnant or obese, perform chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts. 16

HEIMLICH MANEUVER  On Yourself

RELIEF OF CHOKING You can tell you have successfully removed an airway obstruction if you:  Feel air movement and see the chest rise when you give breaths  See and remove a foreign body from the throat. 18