Choking

Choking causes and treatents explained by Dr Chris Brown

Choking usually occurs if there is a foreign object stuck at the back of the throat, blocking the windpipe. This is often inadequately chewed food or, in the case of children, accidentally swallowed objects.

If you think that someone is choking, ask them to talk. Genuine choking will prevent this, and they will usually only be able to signal to you with their hands, either grasping or pointing to their throat.

How to help
The best way to treat a choking subject is to use a method described by Heimlich – an abdominal thrust:

  • Ask the person to cough, but don’t waste time.
  • Give up to five sharp slaps between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Make sure the person is leaning well forward so that any dislodged object comes out of the mouth rather than going further down the airway. Support the front of the chest with the other hand whilst giving the slaps.

If choking persists:

  • Stand behind the person who is choking, place your arms around the upper part of their abdomen, and bend them forward.
  • Clench your fist and place it, with the thumb side on the person's abdomen, midway between the person?s belly button and the bottom end of the breastbone (sternum).
  • Place your other hand, flat, on top, then thrust both hands backwards and upwards into the stomach with a hard movement
  • Repeat this 'thrust' up to 5 times.
  • Alternate 5 thrusts with 5 back slaps until the object which is stuck is expelled from their mouth.
  • You can also perform this manoeuvre on yourself by placing a clenched fist between your belly button and your rib cage, with the other hand on top, and thrusting your fist hard into your stomach.

Choking in a baby or child

  • For a baby – lay it face down along your forearm, keeping the head low, for the back slaps.
  • Turn the baby face up on your arm and remove any obvious obstruction.
  • If back slaps have failed, place two fingertips on the lower half of the baby’s breastbone.
  • Give up to five thrusts into the chest.
  • Check the mouth again.
  • Repeat the entire sequence if necessary.
  • For a child – proceed as for an adult, but you may have to kneel rather than stand.