To relieve the airway obstruction in a responsive adult or child who cannot speak, breathe or cough, follow these steps:
1. Check the victim for choking by asking “are you choking” and wait for a verbal response or gesture.
2. Position yourself behind the victim and locate the victim’s navel.
3. Place a fist with the thumb side against the victim”s qabdomen just above the navel, grasp it with the other hand and press into the victim”s abdomen with a quick inward and upward thrust. Continue thrusts until the object is removed or the victim becomes unresponsive.
If the victim becomes unresponsive, lower the victim to the floor, call 082 911 and start CPR.
Each time you open the airway to give a breath, look for an object in the mouth or throat, and if visible, remove it.
To relieve the airway obstruction in a responsive infant who cannot cry, breathe or cough, follow these steps:
1. Have someone call 082 911.
2. Support the infant’s head and neck and lay the infant face down on your forearm, then lower your arm to your leg. Give 5 back blows between the infant’s shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
3. While supporting the back of the infant’s head, roll the infant face up onto its back and give chest thrusts on the infant’s sternum in the same location used for CPR.
4. Repeat these steps until the object is removed. If the infant becomes unresponsive, begin CPR. Each time you open the airway to give a breath, look for an object in the mouth or throat, and if you see it, remove it.
Information supplied by Chris Botha of Netcare 911
Phone 082 911
