Oct. 25, 2018 | If you see someone clutching their throat, coughing, gagging, or passed out, would you know what to do? Food or small objects can cause choking if they get caught in your throat and block your airway. This keeps oxygen from getting to your lungs and brain. A complete blockage is an urgent medical emergency. If your brain goes without oxygen for more than four minutes, you could have brain damage or die. According to the National Safety Council, choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional injury death. Of the 5,051 people who died from choking in 2015, 2,848 were older than 74. Food is often responsible for choking incidents in the elderly. Living alone, and having dentures or difficulty swallowing can increase the risk. The universal distress signal for choking is grabbing the throat with one or both hands. Do NOT attempt to perform first aid if the person is coughing forcefully and able to speak, a strong cough can dislodge the object on its own.

Oct. 25, 2018 | Choking occurs when a foreign object lodges in the throat or windpipe, blocking the flow of air. Because choking cuts off oxygen to the brain, it’s important to administer first aid as quickly as possible. It could be the difference between life and death. But how do you know if someone is choking? The most common sign is hands clutched to the throat. If the person doesn’t give that signal, look for specific indications like an inability to talk or difficulty breathing or noisy breathing. Are they making squeaky sounds when they are trying to breathe? Are they coughing, either weakly or forcefully? Check their skin, if it’s flushed and then turns pale or bluish in color, they may be choking. If the person is able to cough forcefully, the person should keep coughing. If the person is choking and can’t talk, cry or laugh forcefully, call 911 immediately. An emergency specialist can determine if first aid is necessary and what steps you can take to help the choking victim.

Oct. 25, 2018 | The Heimlich maneuver, an emergency procedure that is used to dislodge foreign bodies from the throats of choking victims, was developed in the early ‘70s by an American surgeon who observed that food and other objects were often not freed by the recommended technique of delivering sharp blows to the back. The procedure is not recommended for children under the age of 1. Before attempting the maneuver, see if the person can cough, speak or breathe. If they can’t, stand behind the person with one foot slightly in front of the other for balance. Wrap your arms around their waist and tip the person forward slightly. Make a fist with one hand and position it slightly above the person’s navel. Grasp the fist with the other hand. Press hard into the abdomen with a quick, upward thrust, as if trying to lift the person up. Perform between six and 10 abdominal thrusts until the blockage is dislodged. Call 911 if medical attention is still necessary.

Oct. 25, 2018 | Choking is one of the leading causes of unintentional death for infants. The Heimlich maneuver is not recommended for small children as it can injure a child if done incorrectly, so a different rescue procedure is necessary. If a child is gagging and coughing but can breathe and talk, the airway is not completely blocked and it’s best to do nothing. The child will likely be fine after the coughing spell. If a child is choking and unable to breathe, call 911 immediately. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation may be necessary but should only performed by a trained individual. Do not reach into the child’s mouth to grab the object or pat them on the back as either action could push the object farther down the airway and make the situation worse. To prevent choking in children, cut food into small pieces and don’t let them have hard candy. And be sure to pick up anything off the floor that might be dangerous to swallow, like deflated balloons, coins, beads and batteries.

Oct. 25, 2018 | If you are alone and find yourself choking, there are certain steps you can take to prevent a life-threatening situation. First and foremost, don’t panic and if possible, take slow breaths. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately, even if you cannot speak. The dispatcher should be able to recognize that an emergency is occurring. If you are using a landline, it may be possible to trace the call and send emergency personnel to you. Cell phone calls may not be traceable to an exact location. If available, lean over the back of a chair and press hard on your abdomen and chest to try to expel the object. To perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself, position one clenched fist above the navel and below the rib cage and grasp your fist with your other hand. Pull the clenched fist sharply and directly backward and upward under the rib cage six to 10 times quickly. Once the obstruction is expelled, try to see a physician as soon as possible.