Choking - unconscious adult or child over 1 year
Key points
- Choking is the stoppage or hindrance of breathing by obstruction of the throat or windpipe.
- Without oxygen, the brain begins to die within 4 to 6 minutes.
- Roll the victim onto their back on a hard surface, keeping their back in a straight line, firmly supporting their head and neck.
- If you are not alone, have one person call the local emergency number while another person begins CPR.
Alternative names
Heimlich maneuver - unconscious adult or child over 1 year
Definition
Choking is the stoppage or hindrance of breathing by obstruction of the throat or windpipe.
Considerations
Without oxygen, the brain begins to die within 4 to 6 minutes. Rapid first aid for choking can save a life.
Following the expulsion of the object that caused the choking, keep the victim still and get medical help. All choking victims should have a medical examination, since complications can arise not only from the choking incident, but also from the first aid measures that were taken.
Occasionally an object will enter the lung instead of being expelled. While the victim may appear to improve and breathe normally, in a few days signs and symptoms of a foreign body in the lung, such as wheezing, persistent cough, and pneumonia, may develop. If this happens, get medical help immediately.
Causes
- Eating (especially eating and laughing at the same time, eating with improperly fitted dentures, eating too fast, and failing to chew food well enough)
- Alcohol consumption (even a small amount of alcohol affects awareness)
- Trauma to the head and face (swelling or bleeding can cause choking)
- Small objects swallowed by young children
Symptoms
- Unconsciousness
- Inability to talk
- Lack of breathing
- Inability to move air into the lungs with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
- Bluish discoloration of the lips and nails
First Aid
1. Roll the victim onto their back on a hard surface, keeping their back in a straight line, firmly supporting their head and neck. Expose the victim's chest.
2. Open the victim's mouth with your thumb and index finger, placing your thumb over his tongue and your index finger under his chin. If the object is visible and loose, remove it. If the person is older than age 8, sweep two fingers from one side of the throat to the other to attempt to remove the object.
3. Lift the victim's chin while tilting the head back to move the tongue away from the windpipe. If a spinal injury is suspected, pull the jaw forward without moving the head or neck. Don't let the mouth close.
4. Place your ear close to the victim's mouth and watch for chest movement. For 5 seconds, look, listen, and feel for breathing.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
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