CHOKING
How to treat someone who is choking?
First it is extremely important to identify if someone is actually choking. The following symptoms are seen for victims who are choking:
1. Stand behind the victim and wrap your arms around his waist. 2. Bring your hands together, with the hand closest to the victim’s stomach made into a fist. The knuckle of your thumb should be our positioned and pressed between the victim’s bellybutton and the bottom of his rib cage. The knuckle of your thumb should be positioned and pressed between the victim's bellybutton and the bottom of their rib cage. 3. Simultaneously squeeze and thrust your hands inwards and upwards. Repeat this action until the obstruction pops out like the cork from a bottle. Remember, it is important to not perform this method of first aid if the victim is unconscious and DO NOT perform this maneuver if the item is only partially dislodged in someone's throat, because this can make the situation worse. If the obstruction is removed but the person is not breathing, perform CPR. For choking pregnant women, do high abdominal thrusts, rather than lower and avoid the stomach area. How does this differ with children/babies? Treat children the same as adults, however do not use as much force when attempting to try and remove the blockage from the throat. Be more aware of their smaller build, and call the ambulance immediately, if the case looks serious. When trying to dislodge an item from a baby, place the baby on your lap or forearm, with their head lower than their body. Ensure that you have them in a firm hold. The amount of force is less than that used on a child. (Better Health, 2012) |
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