First Aid on Choking

First aid on choking really needed, because choking cuts off oxygen (O2)to the brain. Remember, if O2 is less or stop supplying to the brain more than 10 minutes probable can cause the victim death.

Choking occurs when a foreign body (food or small objects) becomes lodged in the throat or windpipe, blocking the flow of air. The person who get choking he will be panic, sudden inability to talk, gasp for breath, turn blue (Cyanosis, a blue coloring to the skin, can be seen earliest around the face, lips, and fingernail beds), and be unconscious. This is the reason why the victim needed quick first aid action to save his life.

The person can cough or speak, it's mean he or she is getting air. In an infant or baby when he get choking, attention must be paid to an infant's behavior (difficulty breathing and weak cry or weak cough or both) soon as possible give him first aid action.

First aid action on choking :

If choking is occurring and the person cannot cough or speak, begin to perform first aid action such as Heimlich maneuver (perform an abdominal thrust) immediately before calling 911 or local emergency number until the foreign body is expelled or the victim becomes unconscious.

If choking is happen to the pregnant or obese people, In theses case performing first aid with chest thrust may will help her.

If the airway clears and the person is still unresponsive, begin CPR as an emergency first aid procedure.

First Aid with Heimlich maneuver
Heimlich maneuver as the first aid action :
1. Choking occur when the person is sitting or standing

Stand behind the victim, Wrap your arms around the waist. Tip the person forward slightly.

Make a fist with one hand and place your fist, thumb side in, just below the person’s rib cage in the front

Grab your fist with your other hand. Press hard into the abdomen with four quick inward and upward thrusts such as if trying to lift the person up, repeat this several times until the obstructing object is coughed out.

2. First aid on the person lying down or unconscious

Straddle him or her and place the heel of your hand just above the waistline.

Place your other hand on top of this hand. Keeping your elbows straight, give four quick upward thrusts. Repeat until the blockage is dislodged.

What you will do if it is happen to you (choking) ? Place a fist slightly above your navel, grasp your fist with the other hand and bend over a hard surface (a countertop or chair) will do and shove your fist inward and upward.

First Aid on Choking
Heimlich Maneuver on an Infant :

Place the infant face down across your forearm, and support the infant’s head with your hand. Give four forceful blows to the back with the heel of your hand, repeat this action until the obstructing object is coughed out.

If still does not help, turn the baby over. With two fingers one finger width below an imaginary line connecting the nipples, give four forceful thrusts to the chest to a depth of 1 inch.

Success with the first aid action, it's mean you save a life.