|
|
Choking first aid - adult or child over 1 year - series
|
Part 1
|
Part 2
|
Part 3
|
Part 4
| |
Part 5
|
|
|
|
Part 1
|
A choking person's airway may be completely or partially blocked. A complete blockage is an urgent medical emergency. A partial obstruction can quickly become life threatening if the person loses the ability to breathe in and out sufficiently. Without oxygen, permanent brain damage can occur in as little as 4 minutes. Rapid first aid for choking can save a life. The universal distress signal for choking is grabbing the throat with one or both hands. DO NOT perform first aid if the person is coughing forcefully and able to speak – a strong cough can dislodge the object on its own. 1. Ask the person: "Are you choking?" "Can you speak?"
|
|
Review Date : 7/8/2009
Reviewed By : Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
|
|