Accidents occur each day, and they can be life threatening, particularly if the airways are involved. Frequently children, and sometimes adults, ingest foreign objects like coins or bones and these may accidentally enter the trachea and block the airways. Unless prompt action is taken, this can be fatal.
Symptoms of choking include:
* Wheezing;
* Respiratory noise;
* Severe cough;
* Shortness of breath;
* Skin discoloration (due to decreased blood oxygen).
If you see these symptoms, you should immediately consider the possibility that the person is choking on some type of foreign object and you must take action immediately!
You should follow these steps right away:
1. Call 911 right away and advise them that choking is involved;
2. Allow the choking victim to cough as hard as he/she can in an effort to dislodge the foreign object;
3. Using the flat part of your hand, hit the victim on the back between the shoulder blades;
4. If this fails to produce results, stand behind the person, wrap your arms around his/her waist and bow forward a bit;
5. Clench your fist, place it at waist level and grab it with your other hand;
6. Use both hands to press hard on the stomach, as if you were attempting to lift the victim (this is the Heimlich procedure);
7. Repeat this several times and hopefully this will clear the airway;
8. If unsuccessful, continue this procedure until medical assistance is available.
I hope that you and your loved ones remain safe!
Tags: Accidents, foreign objects
