How to save yourself if you're choking!

How to save yourself if you're choking....you might need this one day!

Many thanks to youtube.com/user/cobramedic1 for permission to use his video.

IF SOMEONE ELSE IS CHOKING

A foreign object that is stuck at the back of the throat may block the throat or cause muscular spasm.
choking

Young children especially are prone to choking. A child may choke on food, or may put small objects into their mouth and cause a blockage of the airway.

If the blockage of the area airway is mild, the casualty should be able to clear it; if it is severe they will be unable to speak, cough, or breathe, and will eventually lose consciousness.
Recognition

Mild obstruction

Casualty able to speak, cry, cough or breathe.

Severe obstruction

Casualty is unable to speak, cry, cough or breathe
Casualty will eventually become unconcious without assistance.

Treatment for adult or child

Your aims are to remove the obstruction and to arrange urgent removal to hospital if necessary.

If the obstruction is mild:

Encourage them to continue coughing
Remove any obvious obstruction from the mouth.

If the obstruction is severe:

Give up to five back blows
Check the mouth and remove any obvious obstruction.

If the obstruction is still present:

Give up to five abdominal thrusts
Check the mouth and remove any obvious obstruction.

If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts:

Dial 999uk 911usa for an ambulance
Continue until help arrives.

Treatment for infants

Your aims are to remove the obstruction and to arrange urgent removal to hospital if necessary.
infacts choking

If the infant is distressed, is unable to cry, cough, or breathe:

Lay them face down along your forearm, with their head low, and support the back and head
Give up to five back blows, with the heel of your hand
Check the infant's mouth; remove any obvious obstructions
Do not do a finger sweep of the mouth.

If the obstruction is still present:

Turn the infant onto his back and give up to five chest thrusts
Use two fingers, push inwards and upwards (towards the head) against the infants breastbone, one finger's breadth below the nipple line
The aim is to relieve the obstruction with each chest thrust rather than necessarily doing all five
Check the mouth.

If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and chest thrusts:

Dial 999uk 911usa for an ambulance
Continue until help arrives