How to deal with a choking episode

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How to deal with a choking episode

When a toddler at play suffers a traumatic choking incident, calling an emergency medical services provider such as Netcare 911 while simultaneously carrying out the appropriate procedure can mean the difference between life and death.

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Hundreds of people in South Africa choke to death needlessly every year. Individuals of any age can choke on pieces of food, vomit or small objects that are stuck in the throat and block the windpipe.

Choking can usually be avoided by following these guidelines

  • Take small bites and chew food thoroughly. Cut meat into small pieces.
  • Do not eat too fast, or eat, talk or laugh at the same time.
  • Do not drink too much alcohol before eating.
  • If you smoke, wait until you have finished eating before you light up.

Prevention is the best treatment.

If you are a parent of a small child

  • Keep small objects (including food) that children may choke on out of reach, ie peanuts, hard boiled sweets, popcorn and gum.
  • Don't let children run or jump with food or any other object in their mouth.
  • All toys should be inspected for small removable parts. Follow label guidelines that indicate appropriate ages when buying toys.

Act immediately if someone is choking

You may only have four to eight minutes to save a choking person's life; therefore knowing how to administer the Heimlich manoeuvre and CPR is critically important.

A conscious child or adult who is choking will breathe in an exaggerated way. They will be unable to talk or cough, and will probably nod in confirming the question, “Are you choking?” They may grasp their throat. Individuals who are choking but are able to cough or speak are still getting some air into their lungs, and should be encouraged to cough vigorously. The Heimlich manoeuvre should not be administered in the latter cases.

What you can do when someone is choking?

Choking rescue (Heimlich manoeuvre) for a conscious adult or child

  • Establish whether the person can speak or cough by asking, “Are you choking?”
  • Arrange for someone else to call emergency medical services while you assist the victim. They can call Netcare 911 on 082 911, and make sure they immediately tell the call centre that someone is choking.
  • If the person is able to speak, ask them to cough vigorously.
  • If the person cannot speak or cough, start the Heimlich manoeuvre.
  • Stand behind the person. Place one foot between the person's feet.
  • Wrap your arms around their waist.
  • Grasp one of your fists with the other hand and place the thumb side of the fist just above the navel (belly button) but below the rib cage.
  • Thrust your fist upward in five quick, sharp thrusts.
  • Lean the person forward.
  • Give up to five firm back slaps between the shoulders.
  • Repeat the thrusts and back slaps forcefully.
  • Check in the person’s mouth if you can see the object and remove it if possible.
  • If you cannot see or remove the object, repeat the steps above until the object is dislodged or the person becomes unconscious.
  • If the person becomes unconscious, start CPR, looking in the mouth for the object after each set of 30 compressions.

If you are choking and alone, or with someone who doesn't know this procedure

  • Do not panic.
  • Try coughing vigorously.
  • If unsuccessful, stand behind a chair or over some other object that puts pressure on your abdomen just above your belly button (but below your rib cage).
  • Thrust yourself upon the object in strong, sharp bursts.
  • Repeat until the item is dislodged.

For a child less than one year (infant) who is conscious

  • Kneel down on your haunches.
  • Hold infant face down along your forearm, supporting the head and neck with your other hand. Place the head lower than the body.
  • Give five back slaps forcefully between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
  • Turn the infant or child face up. Keeping the head supported and lower than the rest of the body, look for the object in the mouth. If you can see the object, try to remove it.
  • If the object can't be dislodged, position your index and middle fingers on the baby's breastbone and give five thrusts.
  • Repeat the back slaps and chest thrusts until the object is dislodged or the infant becomes unconscious.
  • If the infant becomes unconscious, start CPR, looking in the mouth for the object after each set of 30 compressions.

These manoeuvres are different if the person is unconscious. Call an emergency medical service provider for more information and further instruction on the appropriate procedures.

Ideally, you should enroll in one or more of the following classes to learn these procedures: CPR for everyone, CPR for family and friends, First Aid, or Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.