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VARIOUS EMERGENCY SITUATIONS: WHEN SOMEONE IS CHOKING
Choking occurs when an object obstructs the trachea (windpipe), thus preventing normal breathing. Failure to expel the object and restore breathing can lead to death within 6 minutes. The universal signal of distress related to choking is the clasping of the throat with one or both hands. Other signs of choking include not being able to talk and/or noisy and difficult breathing. If a victim can cough or speak, do not interfere. The most effective method for assisting choking victims is the Heimlich maneuver, which involves the application of pressure to the victim\'s abdominal area to expel the foreign object.
The Heimlich maneuver involves the following steps:
If the Victim Is Standing or Seated
1. Recognize that the victim is choking.
2. Wrap your arms around the victim\'s waist, making a fist with one hand.
3. Place the thumb side of the fist on the middle of the victim\'s abdomen, just above the navel and well below the tip of the sternum.
4. Cover your fist with your other hand.
5. Press fist into victim\'s abdomen, with up to 5 quick upward thrusts.
6. After every 5 abdominal thrusts, check the victim and your technique.
7. If the victim becomes unconscious, gently lower him or her to the ground.
8. Try to clear the airway by using your finger to sweep the object from the victim\'s mouth or throat.
9. Give 2 rescue breaths. If the passage is still blocked and air will not go in, proceed with the
Heimlich maneuver.
If the Victim Is Lying Down
1. Facing the person, kneel with your legs astride the victim\'s hips. Place the heel of one hand against the abdomen, slightly above the navel and well below the tip of the sternum. Put the other hand on top of the first hand.
2. Press inward and upward using both hands with up to 5 quick abdominal thrusts.
3. Repeat the following steps in this sequence until the airway becomes clear or the EMS arrives:
a. Finger sweep.
b. Give 2 rescue breaths.
c. Do up to 5 abdominal thrusts.
*384/277/5*
GENERAL HEALTH
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