(This
sequence is also suitable for use in children over the age of 1 year)
1.
If the victim shows signs of mild airway obstruction:
Encourage
him to continue coughing, but do nothing else.
2.
If the victim shows signs of severe airway obstruction and is conscious:
Give
up to five back blows.
o Stand
to the side and slightly behind the victim.
o Support
the chest with one hand and lean the victim well forwards
so
that when the obstructing object is dislodged it comes out of
the
mouth rather than goes further down the airway.
o Give
up to five sharp blows between the shoulder blades with the
heel of
your other hand.
Check
to see if each back blow has relieved the airway obstruction. The aim
is
to relieve the obstruction with each blow rather than necessarily to give all
five.
If
five back blows fail to relieve the airway obstruction give up to five
abdominal
thrusts.
o Stand
behind the victim and put both arms round the upper part of
his
abdomen.
o Lean
the victim forwards.
o Clench
your fist and place it between the umbilicus (navel) and the
bottom
end of the sternum (breastbone).
o Grasp
this hand with your other hand and pull sharply inwards and
upwards.
o Repeat
up to five times.
If
the obstruction is still not relieved, continue alternating five back blows
with
five
abdominal thrusts.
3.
If the victim becomes unconscious:
Support
the victim carefully to the ground.
Call
an ambulance immediately.
Begin
CPR (from 5B of the adult BLS sequence). Healthcare providers, trained and
experienced in feeling for a carotid pulse, should initiate chest compressions
even if a pulse is present in the unconscious choking victim. Following
successful treatment for choking, foreign material may nevertheless remain in the
upper or lower respiratory tract and cause complications later. Victims with a persistent
cough, difficulty swallowing, or with the sensation of an object being still
stuck in the throat should therefore be referred for an immediate medical
opinion.
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