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- $Unique_ID{BRK05005}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{CHOKING}
- $Subject{CHOKING choke chokes gag gagging cough coughs coughing breath breathe
- breathing pale bluish blue face}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1993 Creative Multimedia
-
-
- CHOKING
-
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Signs to look for:
-
- The universal distress signal is grabbing the throat with the hand.
-
- Look for gagging, a weak cough, noisy breathing.
-
- Skin may get pale and bluish, beginning with the face.
-
-
- Immediate Treatment for an Unconscious Newborn to 1 Year of Age:
-
- 1. Call for help.
-
- 2. Do not poke at the object that is lodged.
-
- 3. Place the infant on his back, open the mouth and clear the mouth of any
- visible foreign objects.
-
- 4. Check for breathing.
-
- If the victim is breathing, give aid for unconsciousness.
-
- If the victim is not breathing, begin rescue breathing.
-
- If you are unable to breathe into the victim, begin abdominal thrusts.
-
- If object is dislodged, sweep it out with your index finger.
-
- If object is not dislodged, continue the sequence of thrusts, checking
- the mouth, and breaths until it is, or until medical help arrives.
-
- ALL Choking Victims should have a medical examination.
-
-
- For Conscious Newborn to 1 Year of Age:
-
- If baby can't cough, breathe, cry or is coughing weakly, call for
- medical help.
-
- If baby is coughing strongly and can breathe, do not interfere, but
- stand by and be prepared to act.
-
- If choking continues, the baby becomes blue, limp and unconscious.
-
- Do not poke at the object that is lodged.
-
- Immediate Treatment:
-
- 1. Lay infant face down on your arm, with your hand on the infant's jaw to
- support the head.
-
- 2. Use the heel of your other hand to give 4 back blows between the
- infant's shoulder blades.
-
- IF THE OBJECT DOES NOT DISLODGE:
-
- 1. Turn the infant over and keep the infant's head lower than the trunk
- while supporting the head.
-
- 2. Use 2 fingers on the middle of the breastbone to deliver 4 thrusts.
-
- REPEAT UNTIL THE OBJECT IS EXPELLED OR THE INFANT IS UNCONSCIOUS.
-
-
- Immediate Treatment for an Unconscious Adult or Child over 1 year:
-
- 1. Call Emergency Medical Services.
-
- 2. Do not poke at the object that is lodged.
-
- 3. Place the victim on his back, clear the victim's mouth, and check for
- breathing.
-
- If the victim is breathing, give aid for unconsciousness.
-
- If the victim is not breathing, begin rescue breathing. (see animation)
-
- If you are unable to breathe into the victim, begin abdominal thrusts.
- (see animation)
-
- If object is dislodged, sweep it out with your index finger.
-
- If object is not dislodged, continue the sequence of thrusts, checking
- the mouth, and breaths until it is, or until medical help arrives.
-
-
- Immediate Treatment for a Conscious Adult or Child over 1 year:
-
- 1. Ask the victim if he is choking--if he can't answer, the situation is
- life-threatening--seek medical help.
-
- 2. Do not interfere if the person is coughing and is able to breathe in and
- out.
-
- 3. Do not poke at the object that is lodged.
-
- 4. Tell the person you are going to try to help, and proceed with the
- Heimlich Maneuver (see animation). Perform the Maneuver until the object
- is cleared or victim loses consciousness. Give aid for unconsciousness
- if needed.
-
- ALL Choking Victims should have a medical examination.
-
-
- ----------------
-
- This Section has been prepared as a quick-reference, but should in no way
- substitute for the extensive and professional training you should receive to
- be fully prepared for an emergency. We recommend you contact your local
- hospital or American Red Cross for comprehensive First Aid training and
- certification.
-