Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a critical lifesaving technique, but it’s important to note that the approach differs between choking emergencies and situations where the heart has stopped beating (typical CPR scenarios). In choking emergencies, the primary goal is to remove the blockage from the airway. Here’s how the approach differs for adults and children:
For Adults and Children Over 1 Year:
Assess the Situation: If the person is unable to breathe, cough, or speak, they are experiencing a choking emergency.
Encourage Coughing: If the person can cough, encourage them to continue, as coughing is the most effective way to dislodge a blockage.
Back Blows and Abdominal Thrusts:
1. Back Blows: Stand behind the person and deliver up to 5 sharp blows between their shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
2. Abdominal Thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver): Stand behind the person, wrap your arms around their waist, and place a fist just above their navel. Grasp your fist with your other hand and perform a quick, upward thrust. Repeat up to 5 times if necessary.
Call for Help: If the obstruction is not dislodged, call emergency services immediately.
Alternate Between Back Blows and Thrusts: Continue alternating 5 back blows with 5 abdominal thrusts until the blockage is dislodged, help arrives, or the person becomes unconscious.
CPR if Unconscious: If the person becomes unconscious, begin CPR. Check the mouth periodically to see if the obstructing object has been dislodged.
For Infants (Under 1 Year):
Assess the Situation: Like adults, if an infant cannot breathe, cough, or cry, they might be choking.
Back Blows and Chest Thrusts:
1. Back Blows: Hold the infant face down on your forearm, supporting their head and neck. Deliver up to 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
2. Chest Thrusts: Turn the infant over, keeping their head lower than their chest. Place two fingers in the middle of their chest and give up to 5 quick thrusts.
Call for Help: If the blockage does not dislodge, get someone to call emergency services while you continue the interventions.
Alternate Between Blows and Thrusts: Continue with the back blows and chest thrusts until the object is dislodged, help arrives, or the infant becomes unconscious.
CPR if Unconscious: If the infant becomes unconscious, begin infant CPR. Check the mouth for the dislodged object before giving breaths.
Key Points:
Do Not Perform Blind Finger Sweeps: Avoid blindly inserting your fingers into the person’s mouth, as this could push the blockage further down.
CPR Training: Proper training in CPR and choking relief techniques is crucial. These descriptions are not substitutes for hands-on CPR training from a certified organization.
Call for Emergency Help: Always call for emergency medical help in choking situations, even if the object is successfully dislodged, as there could be complications.
Remember, the CPR techniques for choking for dealing with choking are specific and different from standard CPR procedures used for cardiac emergencies. Training and preparedness are key in effectively handling these situations.