Almost
everyone has experienced the sensation of choking before. Choking
occurs when the windpipe, or trachea, becomes blocked. Knowing how
to help a person who is choking could save their life. In fact, choking
on food or other foreign object is thought to cause about 3,000 deaths
per year.
Choking usually occurs because food goes down the "wrong" tube. Instead
of passing into the food tube, or esophagus, food or liquid may pass
into the trachea. This can often be avoided by taking only small bites
of food and thoroughly chewing it. Laughing and talking while chewing
and swallowing and excessive intake of alcohol before and during meals
also increase the risk of choking.
It is usually not difficult to tell when someone is choking. A universal
sign of choking is to place both the hands against the throat. People
may also begin to drool and usually appear quite anxious. Choking
will also usually occur when someone is eating or has something in
their mouth, such as gum or candy.
If you suspect a person may be choking, the first thing to do is to
ask the person, "Are you choking?" Asking the question in this form
allows people the chance to nod their head if they are unable to talk.
If a person is able to speak or cough, it is best to allow them to
try to clear their own airway. Most people who can talk or cough will
be able to cough up the object blocking their windpipe if given the
chance.
| To
perform the Heimlich maneuver, the following steps should quickly
be taken: |
- Stand
behind the person who is choking.
-
Place your arms around their waist and get them to bend forward
at the waist.
-
Clench one hand into a fist and place it over the person's
belly button, or navel.
- Place
the opposite hand on top of the first.
- Thrust
both hands at the same time backward into the stomach with
a hard, upward movement. In those who are extremely obese
or pregnant, the hands should be centered over the person's
chest and chest thrusts should be given instead of stomach
thrusts.
-
Repeat the thrusting movements every few seconds until the
object in the person's windpipe is coughed up and expelled
from their mouth. The Heimlich maneuver should also be stopped
if the person becomes unconscious.
|
If
a person is unable to speak and only uses hand gestures to communicate,
especially if the person continues to gesture toward their throat,
they will most likely need help. The best way to help a person in
this situation is called the Heimlich maneuver.
If a person is alone and begins to choke, they can perform the Heimlich
maneuver on themselves. A clenched fist should be
placed above the navel, with the other hand on top. Then, the fist
should be thrusted backward into the stomach with a hard, upward movement.
If the person who is choking becomes unconscious and the object has
still not been expelled, the emergency medical system should be activated
(i.e. call 911). The person should be positioned flat on their back
if no obvious injuries are present. The jaw should be lifted forward
and a finger should be used to "sweep" the back of the throat and
try to remove the foreign object from the throat. If this is unsuccessful,
the "rescuer" should place their mouth over the victim's mouth and
give two quick deep breaths. If the windpipe is still blocked, resistance
to the breaths will be felt. In this case, up to 5 abdominal thrusts
can be given while leaning over the victim - the Heimlich maneuver
for a person lying flat on their back. If unsuccessful, the rescuer
should alternate attempts at giving the person breaths and abdominal
thrusts until help arrives.
If the person clears the object from their throat, they may need CPR
(cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Whether or not the person needs CPR,
they should be examined a doctor after a serious choking episode.
The Heimlich maneuver is easy to learn and perform. It should be noted
that an alternate form of the Heimlich maneuver is used to help children
less than one year old. Knowing how to help someone who is choking
could save his or her life, and it is a good idea for everyone to
take a basic first aid class to learn it - just in case.
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