Choking is a serious medical disease that can occur when anything, such as food or an item, becomes stuck in the trachea (windpipe), so obstructing the flow of air. Choking can be fatal. If immediate medical attention is not received, choking can be fatal.
Manifestations and indications of choking
The following are some of the indications and symptoms of choking:
Having a hard time breathing or speaking.
A tightening in the chest and the throat
struggling for breath
causing the face to turn a blue or purple colour
a state of having lost awareness
How to assist a person who is choking on something
You need to respond promptly if someone is choking on something. The steps that need to be followed are as follows:
- Make an evaluation of the situation. Is the person who is choking aware that they are choking? Do they have the ability to communicate or to breathe?
- If the patient is cognizant, you should inquire as to whether or not they are choking. * Instruct them to bring the thing up by coughing. * Deal them some blows of your own. Maintain your position behind the other person while you wrap your arms around their waist. They need to have their upper bodies bent forward at the waist so that they are parallel to the ground. They should get five blows to the area between the shoulder blades from the heel of your hand. * You should give them thrusts to the abdomen. Maintain your position behind the other person while you wrap your arms around their waist. One hand should be used to make a fist and then placed directly above the individual’s belly button. Put your other hand on top of your fist, and then draw your thumb and index finger sharply inward and upward. It should be done five times.
- If the victim is unconscious, you should call either 911 or the emergency number in your area. If you are able to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation, you should start doing so.
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Instructions on how to execute back blows
In order to deliver back blows:
Maintain your position behind the other person while you wrap your arms around their waist.
They need to have their upper bodies bent forward at the waist so that they are parallel to the ground.
They should get five blows to the area between the shoulder blades from the heel of your hand.
Examine the area to determine whether the thing has moved. If not, go back and do steps 2 and 3 again.
The proper technique for performing abdominal thrusts
Abdominal thrusts can be performed by:
Maintain your position behind the other person while you wrap your arms around their waist.
One hand should be used to make a fist and then placed directly above the individual’s belly button.
Put your other hand on top of your fist, and then draw your thumb and index finger sharply inward and upward.
It should be done five times.
Examine the area to determine whether the thing has moved. If not, go back and do steps 2 and 3 again.
Advice crucial to one’s safety
If the victim is conscious, you should not strike them in the back or thrust them in the abdomen unless they are choking.
When administering blows to the back or abdominal thrusts, be careful not to apply an excessive amount of force. You run the risk of injuring the person’s ribs as well as their internal organs.
Do not attempt to remove the object from the person’s throat on your own if you are unable to free it from where it is trapped in the person’s airway. Make a call to 911 or the emergency number in your area.
The final word
If prompt medical attention is not received, choking is a dangerous medical condition that can be fatal. Act promptly and follow the actions that were given above if you witness someone choking on something. You could potentially save a life if you follow these instructions to the letter.