What To Do If Someone Is Choking

Imagine you're at a restaurant, enjoying a meal with friends, when suddenly someone clutches their throat, their face turning red, and they can't speak. It's a terrifying scenario, but knowing what to do in those crucial moments can be the difference between life and death. Choking is a leading cause of accidental death, and understanding the proper techniques to dislodge an obstruction in someone's airway is a vital skill that everyone should possess. Being prepared to act quickly and effectively can save a life.

The ability to recognize the signs of choking and administer the appropriate first aid is a responsibility we all share. Waiting for emergency services to arrive may simply take too long. Whether it's a child struggling with a piece of candy or an adult who has swallowed food incorrectly, knowing the steps to take can alleviate panic and empower you to provide immediate assistance. Every second counts, and your quick response can make all the difference in a choking emergency.

What are the steps to take if someone is choking?

How do I recognize the signs of choking?

Recognizing the signs of choking is crucial for a rapid response. The most universal sign is the inability to speak. Other key indicators include clutching at the throat (the universal choking sign), difficulty breathing or noisy breathing, a weak or ineffective cough, skin turning bluish (cyanosis), and loss of consciousness.

Choking occurs when a foreign object blocks the airway, preventing air from reaching the lungs. The body's immediate response is often to try and dislodge the object through coughing. However, if the obstruction is severe, the person will be unable to cough effectively or speak. The visible signs, such as clutching at the throat, are desperate attempts to communicate the emergency. Cyanosis, the bluish discoloration of the skin, indicates a lack of oxygen and is a very serious sign that immediate intervention is required. It's important to differentiate between a mild airway obstruction and a severe one. Someone with a mild obstruction may still be able to cough forcefully and speak in short sentences. Encourage them to continue coughing. However, if the person is unable to speak, cough effectively, or breathe, it's a severe obstruction and requires immediate action. Rapid recognition and intervention can be life-saving.

What is the Heimlich maneuver and how do I perform it?

The Heimlich maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts, is a first-aid procedure used to dislodge an object blocking a person's airway. It involves delivering quick, upward thrusts to the abdomen, forcing air from the lungs to expel the obstruction.

If someone is choking and unable to breathe, cough, or speak, immediately ask them if they are choking. If they nod yes, tell them you are going to help. Stand behind the person. Place your arms around their waist. Make a fist with one hand and position it slightly above their navel. Grasp your fist with your other hand and give quick, upward thrusts into their abdomen. Continue these thrusts until the object is dislodged and the person can breathe, cough, or speak. Each thrust should be a distinct and forceful movement. It's important to understand that the Heimlich maneuver is a potentially forceful procedure. If the person becomes unconscious, gently lower them to the ground and begin CPR, which includes chest compressions that may help to dislodge the object. If you are alone, call emergency services (911 in the US) before beginning CPR if possible, otherwise start immediately and call when you can. If the choking person is pregnant or obese, perform chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts, placing your arms under their armpits and encircling their chest. While learning the Heimlich maneuver from written instructions is helpful, taking a certified first-aid course is highly recommended. These courses provide hands-on training and allow you to practice the technique under the guidance of a trained instructor, ensuring you can confidently and effectively respond in a choking emergency.

What if the choking person is pregnant or obese?

If the choking person is visibly pregnant or obese, the standard Heimlich maneuver needs to be modified. Instead of abdominal thrusts, perform chest thrusts. This involves standing behind the person, placing your arms under their armpits and around their chest, making a fist with one hand and placing the thumb side against the middle of their breastbone. Grasp your fist with your other hand and give quick, inward chest thrusts until the object is dislodged or the person becomes unresponsive.

For pregnant women, the growing uterus makes abdominal thrusts ineffective and potentially harmful. Similarly, for obese individuals, layers of fat tissue can prevent effective compression of the abdomen to force air from the lungs. Chest thrusts bypass these obstacles by directly compressing the chest cavity, generating the necessary pressure to expel the obstructing object. Ensure that the thrusts are firm and deliberate, but avoid applying excessive force that could cause injury. Continue chest thrusts until the obstruction is cleared or the person loses consciousness. If the person becomes unresponsive, carefully lower them to the ground and begin CPR, starting with chest compressions. Remember to call emergency services immediately, or have someone else do so, so that professional medical assistance can arrive as quickly as possible. When explaining the situation to emergency services, be sure to mention that the person was choking and is either pregnant or obese so that they can be prepared with the appropriate equipment and knowledge.

What do I do if I'm alone and choking?

If you're alone and choking, immediately perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself. This involves using a firm object to thrust against your abdomen, forcing air from your lungs and hopefully dislodging the obstruction.

First, make a fist and place the thumb side of your fist slightly above your navel and below your breastbone. Grasp your fist with your other hand and press it inward and upward with a quick, forceful thrust. Repeat this until the object is dislodged or you lose consciousness. If you are unable to effectively perform the maneuver on the floor, use a sturdy object like a chair, countertop, or railing. Lean your abdomen against the edge of the object and quickly thrust yourself against it. If you can, call emergency services (like 911 in the US) before you begin, leaving the phone on speaker mode so they can hear you and send help if you lose consciousness. Time is critical when you are choking. Here's a quick recap of self-administered Heimlich:

How do I help a choking infant?

If an infant is choking and cannot cough, cry, or breathe, immediately provide back blows and chest thrusts. Position the infant face down along your forearm, supporting their jaw and chest. Deliver five firm back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand. Then, turn the infant face up, supporting their head and neck, and give five quick chest thrusts using two fingers in the center of their chest, just below the nipple line. Repeat these back blows and chest thrusts until the object is dislodged or the infant becomes unresponsive.

Choking in infants requires a rapid and specific response due to their small airways. The combination of back blows and chest thrusts aims to create artificial coughs to expel the obstructing object. It's crucial to support the infant's head and neck throughout the procedure to prevent further injury. Never perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) on an infant, as this can cause internal damage. If the infant becomes unresponsive at any point, immediately call emergency services (911 in the US) or have someone else call. Begin infant CPR until emergency personnel arrive. Continue alternating between back blows and chest thrusts while waiting for help, even if the infant is unresponsive, as the object might still be dislodged. Remember that prevention is key, so keep small objects out of reach of infants and supervise them closely during feeding.

When should I call 911 when someone is choking?

Call 911 immediately if the person is unable to breathe, talk, or cough effectively, or if they become unresponsive. These signs indicate a complete airway obstruction, and without immediate intervention, the situation can quickly become life-threatening.

Even if you are able to dislodge the object causing the choking, it's still wise to consider calling 911 afterward, especially if the person experienced a period of unconsciousness or has persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, or a hoarse voice. These symptoms could indicate that the airway has been damaged or that some of the object may still be lodged in the throat. Paramedics can assess the individual thoroughly and provide any necessary medical treatment.

Don't hesitate to call emergency services. It's always better to err on the side of caution when someone's airway is compromised. While performing the Heimlich maneuver or back blows can be effective in dislodging the obstruction, the person may still require professional medical attention, and waiting too long can significantly reduce the chances of a positive outcome. If unsure, call 911.

Is there training available for choking first aid?

Yes, comprehensive training in choking first aid is widely available through various organizations and community programs, empowering individuals to confidently and effectively respond to choking emergencies in adults, children, and infants.

These training programs typically cover recognizing the signs of choking, differentiating between mild and severe airway obstruction, and performing appropriate first aid techniques. For adults and children, the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts) is taught, while for infants, back blows and chest thrusts are the primary interventions. Training emphasizes proper hand placement, force application, and adapting techniques for different age groups and circumstances, such as pregnancy or obesity. Organizations like the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, and the National Safety Council offer certified first aid and CPR courses that include detailed instruction on managing choking incidents. These courses often incorporate hands-on practice with manikins and scenarios to simulate real-life situations. Many local hospitals, community centers, and workplaces also provide choking first aid training, making it accessible to a broad audience. Investing time in such training not only equips you with life-saving skills but also instills the confidence needed to act swiftly and effectively in a critical situation.

So, there you have it! Hopefully, you'll never need to use this information, but now you're armed with the knowledge to potentially save a life. Thanks for reading, and please come back soon for more helpful tips and tricks!