Choking is a dangerous medical condition that can happen when something gets stuck in the windpipe (trachea) and blocks the flow of air. If you don’t act quickly, choking can be deadly.
How to tell if someone is choking:
These are some of the signs and symptoms of choking:
Trouble breathing or talking
Getting tight at the throat
Trying to get air
Having your face turn blue or purple
Getting lost in thought
How to help a person who is choking
You should move quickly if someone is choking. Here’s what you need to do:
- Figure out what’s going on. Is the person who is choking awake? Can they talk? Can they breathe?
- Ask the person, if they are awake, if they are breathing. * Try to get them to give up the item. * Hit them right back. Place your arms around the person’s waist and stand behind them. Bend them forward at the waist so that their upper bodies are parallel to the ground. Hit them five times with the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades. * Give them thrusts to the stomach. Place your arms around the person’s waist and stand behind them. Just above their belly button, make a fist with one hand. Put your other hand on top of your fist and quickly pull in and up. Five times in a row.
- If the person is asleep, call 911 or the emergency number in your area. If you know how to do CPR, start it.
How to hit someone in the back
To hit someone in the back:
Place your arms around the person’s waist and stand behind them.
Bend them forward at the waist so that their upper bodies are parallel to the ground.
Hit them five times with the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades.
Check to see if the thing fell out. If so, do steps 2 and 3 again.
How to do belly button thrusts
To do belly thrusts, you must:
Place your arms around the person’s waist and stand behind them.
Just above their belly button, make a fist with one hand.
Put your other hand on top of your fist and quickly pull in and up.
Five times in a row.
Check to see if the thing fell out. If so, do steps 2 and 3 again.
Tips for keeping safe
If the person is awake, you shouldn’t hit them in the back or push on their stomach unless they are choking.
When giving back blows or belly thrusts, be careful not to use too much force. You might hurt the person’s ribs or organs inside.
If you can’t get the object out of the person’s throat, don’t try to get it out yourself. Call 911 or the emergency number in your area.
In the end,
Choking is a dangerous medical problem that can kill if it is not treated quickly. Act quickly and follow the steps above if you see someone choking. By doing these things, you could help save someone’s life.
Click here for more information on choking first aid.