1. If the Victim can breathe or cough, encourage him to continue coughing - just reassure and monitor closely.
2. If the patient cannot cough, breath or speak – perform abdominal thrusts.
3. Help the patient by getting behind them and putting your arms around, just above the navel. One hand a fist and grasping it with the other.Lean the person slightly forward.
4. Pull sharply inwards and upwards. Repeat if neccessary in series of 5's. This should dislodge the obstruction.
5. If patient becomes unconscious follow protocol for CPR
6. If patient's starts breathing spontaneously put them in the Recovery Position and monitor.
7. If breathing does not start spontaneously continue with the above process and call for immediate medical help / ambulance.
Choking Infant
1. Give up to 5 back slaps
- If the infant is distressed shows signs of becoming weak or stops breathing or coughing
- Check the infant's mouth, but do not do a finger sweep as you may make the obstruction worse.
- Lay the infant face down along your forearm, with his head low and supporting his body and head.
- Give up to 5 back slaps between the shoulder blades. If choking persists, proceed to step 2.
2. Give up to 5 chest thrusts.
- Pace 2 fingertips on the lower half of the infant's breastbone, one finger's breadth below the nipples.
- Give up to five sharp thrusts inwards and toward the head at the rate of one every 3 seconds.
- Check the mouth again.
- If choking persists proceed to step 3.
3. Check the infant's mouth.
- Turn the infant face up along your other forearm.
- Use your fingertips to remove any obvious obstructions.
- If choking persists proceed to step 4.
4. Repeat the entire sequence.
- Repeat steps 1 - 3 three times.
- If the obstruction still does not clear, take the infant with you to CALL AN ABULANCE.
- Continue the sequence until help arrives; the obstruction is cleared from the airway; or the infant becomes unconscious - If the infant loses consciousness, give rescue breaths and chest compressions.
L.T.S First Aid Specialists, Chamber Buildings, North St, Swords, Co. Dublin
