Here are the detailed steps for dealing with choking in adults, children, and infants in the UK:

First Aid for Choking – Adults and Children Over One Year Old

1. Assess the Situation:
   • Ask the person if they can speak, cough, or breathe.
   • If they can cough, encourage them to continue coughing to expel the object.
2. If the Person Cannot Cough, Speak, or Breathe:
   • Give Up to 5 Back Blows:
     • Stand to the side and slightly behind the person.
     • Support their chest with one hand.
     • Lean them forward so the object blocking the airway will come out of the mouth, rather than moving further down.
     • Use the heel of your other hand to give up to five sharp blows between the shoulder blades.
   • Give Up to 5 Abdominal Thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver):
     • Stand behind the person.
     • Wrap your arms around their waist.
     • Place a clenched fist above the person’s navel (belly button).
     • Grasp your fist with your other hand.
     • Pull sharply inwards and upwards.
     • Repeat up to five times.
3. If the Person Becomes Unresponsive:
   • Lower them gently to the ground.
   • Call emergency services (999 in the UK) immediately.
   • Begin CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation):
     • Start with chest compressions (30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths).
     • Check the mouth for the obstruction before giving breaths.
     • Continue CPR until emergency help arrives or the person starts breathing normally.

First Aid for Choking – Infants (Under One Year Old)

1. Assess the Situation:
   • If the infant cannot cry, cough, or breathe, begin first aid immediately.
2. Give Up to 5 Back Blows:
   • Sit down and lay the infant face down along your forearm.
   • Support their head and neck with your hand.
   • Use the heel of your hand to give up to five firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
3. Give Up to 5 Chest Thrusts:
   • If the back blows do not dislodge the object, turn the infant face up, keeping their head lower than their body.
   • Use two fingers to give up to five chest thrusts (pressing down about one-third the depth of the chest) on the infant’s sternum, just below the nipple line.
4. Repeat if Necessary: (Call 999/112 after the first cycle)
   • Alternate between five back blows and five chest thrusts until the object is expelled or the infant becomes unresponsive.

If the Infant Becomes Unresponsive:

• • Place the infant on a firm, flat surface.
  • Call emergency services (999 in the UK) immediately.
  • Begin CPR:
    • Use two fingers to give 30 chest compressions.
    • Give 2 rescue breaths.
    • Continue CPR until help arrives or the infant starts breathing.

General Tips

• Stay Calm and Act Quickly: Keeping calm can help you act more efficiently.
• Do Not Perform Blind Finger Sweeps: Only remove an object if it is clearly visible in the mouth.
• Seek Medical Attention: Even if the object is dislodged, it’s important to seek medical attention to ensure there are no further complications.

Conclusion

Following these steps can help save a life during a choking emergency. Regular training and familiarity with these techniques are essential for effective response. If you’re unsure, attending a first aid course can be very beneficial.

-Pooja Vaswaney

Anaphylaxis

• Mental Health & Well-being