1. CHOKING

2. Choking
3,000 or more deaths due to cardiac arrests from airway obstruction annually in U.S.

3. Other Causes of Respiratory Arrest
Fainting
Stroke
Heart attack
Epilepsy
Respiratory illness
Drug overdose

4. Choking In adults, usually occurs while eating. Poorly chewed meat
dentures
alcohol
laughing/talking while eating

5. Signs of Choking
Unable to talk or cry (people will be able to move if conscious but if they cannot talk/cry they are obstructed)
Cyanosis is a VERY late sign
Consider choking if:
sudden collapse while eating
child <6 w/ sudden collapse, unconsciousness or acute respiratory distress without history

6. Choking
NEVER TELL AN RP TO DISCONTINUE ANY EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY BEGUN! If they are already doing the abdominal thrusts or doing CPR never tell them to stop.
Any witnessed choking event – conscious patient – go right to the instructions for choking
If the patient is or becomes unconscious go to CPR

7. Vital Points Interrogation
Does the chest rise and fall?
Is the patient able to speak or cry?
Is the patient turning blue?
Was the person eating or did they have something in their mouth?

8. Vital Points Interrogation
If child is 6 years or below,
Is the child hot to the touch?
If airway obstruction is ruled out, go to pediatric card

9. Questions? Let’s practice our Choking instructions.