How to Give Choking Victims First Aid

Every year over 3 thousand people die due to choking. Food normally travels down the esophagus into the stomach. Occasionally it can go down the wrong way and go into the trachea. Choking occurs when the food or object becomes stuck in the trachea, blocks the airway and prevents a person from breathing. If the food is not dislodged, a person can become unconscious. Choking can be a life threatening situation.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Determine if the person choking can breathe. Ask the victim if he is choking. If he can speak or is coughing forcefully his airway is not completely obstructed and he can breathe. Encourage the person to continue to cough and stand by in case his airway becomes completely blocked and he needs more help.

2. Spot signs the victim's airway is completely blocked. Be aware a person with an completely obstructed airway will not be able to speak. She may grasp her throat, look panicky, have labored breathing and may turn blue.

3. Tell the choking victim you are going to help once you determine their airway is completely blocked. Stand behind the victim. Place your hands around the person's waist. Make a fist with one hand and place it on or just above the belly button.

4. Place your other hand on top of your fist. Be sure your hands are not too low or too high on the choking victim's torso. This could cause injuries to other organs.

5. Perform abdominal thrusts. Push back toward the stomach and up at the same time. The movement should be quick and forceful. This abdominal thrusting motion causes air to be forced up the windpipe and hopefully propel the food out of the trachea.

6. Repeat several times. If the food or the object does not come out after the first thrust repeat the movement several times until the airway is unblocked. If the victim becomes unconscious before the food can be forced out of the trachea, place the person on the floor and begin CPR.

7. Call for help. At anytime while assisting someone who is choking enlist the help of bystanders to call 911.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that the above steps are for adult victims of choking. Guidelines for infants under the age of one are different.
• Act quickly. Once you confirm a person is choking, act immediately. Victims can become unconscious quickly.
• Don't perform stomach thrusts on a pregnant woman. Place your hands higher up on the breastbone and perform the thrusts.

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