First Aid for Choking

Choking is an emergency if the airway is blocked.  As long as the person is coughing and doesn't look bluish, the airway is probably only partially blocked; in this case you don't need to do anything.  If the person is having difficulty breathing, CALL 911.  If the airway is totally blocked, the person will be unable to speak, cough, or breathe.

1. If you see an object stuck in the person's mouth, sweep a finger inside the person's mouth to remove it.
2. If there is an object visible at the top of the throat, carefully try to remove it, being careful not to drive it deeper.
3. If the object cannot be removed, start abdominal thrusts.

    Abdominal thrusts

1. Hold the person up in a standing position from behind.  Put one fist against his or her waist, keeping your thumb inside.  Hold your other hand over the fist, and quickly thrust hard 6-10 times above the person's belt line, moving in and up.
   CAUTION:  If the person is pregnant or obese, put your fist on the middle of the victim's breastbone.  DO NOT put your hands on the ribs or the lower edge of the breastbone.
2. If these thrusts do not remove the object, repeat until:
   • the object comes out
   • the person coughs, speaks or breathes
   • the person passes out

Even if you get the object dislodged, call for medical attention.  The throat could be damaged, or the maneuver may cause abdominal damage.

• Take small bites. Cut meat into small pieces. Chew your food thoroughly.
• Don’t drink too much alcohol before eating. It may dull your senses and you may not chew food properly or may try to swallow too large a portion of food.
• Never let a child walk, run, or play with food or other objects in his or her mouth.
• Have children sit at the table when they eat.
• Cut food into small pieces before giving it to a child.
• Do not give the following foods to children under three, and supervise older children when they eat these foods: hot dogs (the number one cause of choking in children), popcorn, peanuts, sunflower seeds and other nuts, grapes, Raisins, raw vegetables, or hard candy. Be careful with Seeds and pits in fruits and bones in fish, meat and fowl.
• Do not allow children to lie down while eating.
• Do not allow children under three to play with toys that have parts small enough to be swallowed (smaller than a half-dollar coin). Check toys to make sure they have not been broken or that parts are not coming loose.
• Don’t leave small objects, such as beads, coins, or buttons, within an infant’s or child’s reach. Check the floors and tables often.
• Keep purses, jewelry boxes and tool boxes out of reach.
• Check pacifiers to make sure the nipple cannot be pulled loose.
• Do not give children Styrofoam cups. Small pieces can be bitten or broken off.
• Keep balloons away from any child who may put them in his or her mouth.