What to do if someone is choking

Summary

This video script demonstrates the life-saving skill of performing conscious adult choking first aid. It outlines the process of identifying a full airway obstruction, obtaining the patient's consent for help, and performing abdominal thrusts above the belly button to dislodge the object. The script emphasizes the importance of calling emergency services if the obstruction is not cleared or if the person becomes unresponsive. It concludes with recommendations for ensuring the person receives medical attention, even after the obstruction is cleared, to check for potential internal injuries or complications.

Takeaways

• 😀 A person choking can be identified if they cannot cough, breathe, or speak, indicating a full obstruction.
• 😀 If possible, activate the emergency response team or call 9-1-1, but if not, wait until the person becomes unresponsive before calling for help.
• 😀 Always obtain permission from the person to help them if they are still conscious.
• 😀 The key landmark for performing the Heimlich maneuver is the belly button, ensuring your fist is positioned just above it on the abdomen.
• 😀 Avoid positioning your hand too high or low; staying below the xiphoid process and above the belly button is crucial for effectiveness.
• 😀 The purpose of the inward and upward thrusts is to push air from the lungs and force the object out by compressing the diaphragm and lower lobes of the lungs.
• 😀 Perform the abdominal thrusts until either the object is expelled or the person goes unresponsive.
• 😀 If the object is expelled and the person starts breathing again, reassure them and allow them to sit down if necessary.
• 😀 If the person is unresponsive or EMS has not been called yet, it's essential to call 9-1-1 or activate a code.
• 😀 Even if the object comes out, always ensure EMS is on the way to check for any potential lingering issues like partial obstruction or internal bleeding.
• 😀 If the person declines further medical attention or EMS does not arrive, encourage them to see a healthcare professional to ensure their well-being.

Q & A

What is the primary skill being taught in this script?

The primary skill being taught is conscious adult choking intervention, specifically the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts) for someone who is choking.

How do you identify if a person is choking?

A person is considered to be choking if they cannot cough, breathe, or speak, which indicates a full airway obstruction.

When should you activate emergency services or call 9-1-1 in a choking situation?

Ideally, you should activate emergency services as soon as possible, but if the choking person is still conscious, you can wait until they become unresponsive before calling 9-1-1.

What should you do first when approaching a choking person?

You should first make eye contact, ask if they are choking, and get verbal or non-verbal consent to help them if possible.

Why is the belly button used as a landmark during the Heimlich maneuver?

The belly button is used as a landmark because it helps locate the correct position for abdominal thrusts, just above the belly button and below the xiphoid process, which targets the diaphragm effectively.

What is the purpose of performing inward and upward thrusts during the Heimlich maneuver?

The inward and upward thrusts help push air up the trachea, which can expel the object causing the obstruction by compressing the lower lungs and diaphragm.

What should you do if the object is expelled and the person starts breathing again?

Encourage the person to continue breathing and coughing if needed. If the person feels comfortable, they may sit down, but it’s important to call 9-1-1 or activate emergency services to ensure they receive proper medical care.

Why should EMS be called even if the object is expelled and the person is breathing again?

EMS should be called to assess the person for any potential complications, such as a partial obstruction, lung issues, or internal injury from the abdominal thrusts.

What should you do if the person goes unresponsive during a choking incident?

If the person becomes unresponsive, you should assist them to the ground carefully and begin unconscious adult choking procedures, which are different from those for a conscious person.

What is the recommended course of action if the person does not want to be evaluated by EMS after a successful obstruction removal?

Even if the person refuses EMS care, it’s important to encourage them to visit their healthcare practitioner to ensure that no internal injuries or further complications are present.