Recognizing the Signs of Choking
Before you can help, you must first recognize the signs that someone is truly choking. A person who is choking may not be able to make any sound or may emit a high-pitched sound. They may have a panicked expression, clutch their throat, or turn red or blue. The key is to distinguish between a partial airway obstruction, where they can still cough or speak, and a complete obstruction, where they cannot. If they can cough forcefully, encourage them to continue to clear their own throat. If they cannot cough, speak, or breathe, it is time for intervention.
The Universal Choking Sign
An individual who is completely unable to breathe and is in distress will often place both hands around their neck. This is the universal sign for choking and indicates that immediate first aid is required.
Performing the Five-and-Five Technique
The American Red Cross recommends a method known as the 'five-and-five' approach for clearing a choked throat. This technique involves a combination of back blows and abdominal thrusts.
- Five Back Blows: Stand to the side and slightly behind the adult. Support the chest with one hand and deliver five separate, forceful back blows between the person's shoulder blades with the heel of your other hand.
- Five Abdominal Thrusts: Move behind the person. Place one foot slightly in front of the other for balance and wrap your arms around their waist. Make a fist with one hand and place it just above the navel. Grasp the fist with your other hand. Deliver five quick, inward and upward abdominal thrusts.
- Repeat: Continue to alternate between five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until the object is expelled or the person loses consciousness.
The Heimlich Maneuver for Adults and Children
For many, the Heimlich maneuver is a more recognizable name for abdominal thrusts. When performed correctly, it can be a highly effective way to clear a choked throat. This technique creates an artificial cough by compressing the diaphragm, forcing air out of the lungs to push the obstruction free.
Adapting for Larger Individuals or Pregnancy
If the person is pregnant or too large for you to wrap your arms around their waist, perform chest thrusts instead. Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their chest. Deliver quick, inward thrusts from the breastbone. The principle is the same—compress the lungs to create a strong air current.
What to Do for a Choking Infant
The procedure for clearing a choked throat in an infant is different and requires more delicate handling.
- Position the Infant: Hold the infant face down on your forearm, using your hand to support their head and neck. The infant's head should be lower than their trunk.
- Five Back Slaps: Deliver five forceful back slaps with the heel of your hand between the infant's shoulder blades.
- Turn and Trust: Turn the infant face up on your other forearm. Give five quick chest thrusts with two fingers on their breastbone.
- Repeat: Continue alternating between five back slaps and five chest thrusts until the object is expelled or the infant loses consciousness.
Clearing a Choked Throat When You Are Alone
If you find yourself choking and alone, you can still perform abdominal thrusts on yourself. Make a fist and place it just above your navel. Grab your fist with your other hand and thrust inward and upward. You can also lean your upper abdomen over a hard surface, like the back of a chair or a countertop, and thrust yourself forward and down to force the object out. Every second counts, so acting quickly is essential.
Choking vs. Gagging: A Comparison
It is vital to distinguish between true choking and gagging, as the intervention methods are entirely different. Gagging is the body's natural reflex to expel a foreign object and often involves loud, retching noises. Choking is a more silent and life-threatening condition.
| Symptom | Choking | Gagging |
|---|---|---|
| Breathing | Cannot breathe, may have a high-pitched wheeze | Can still breathe normally |
| Sound | Silent or very soft sounds | Loud, retching, or coughing sounds |
| Appearance | Often panicked, turning red or blue | May look uncomfortable, but not in immediate distress |
| Response | Needs immediate intervention (Heimlich) | Encourage continued coughing to expel object naturally |
When to Call for Emergency Services
You should always call 911 or your local emergency number as soon as you recognize a severe choking incident, even if you begin first aid. Additionally, if the person loses consciousness, stop the back blows and abdominal thrusts immediately and begin CPR, if you are trained to do so. If the obstruction is cleared but the person still feels unwell, medical evaluation is recommended.
Preventing Future Choking Incidents
After a choking incident, it is a good idea to take steps to prevent it from happening again. For adults, this might mean chewing food more thoroughly, cutting food into smaller pieces, or being careful with slippery foods. For children and infants, supervision during mealtimes and ensuring that small objects are kept out of reach is crucial.
This authoritative guide on how do you clear a choke throat? provides the essential knowledge to respond effectively. For additional resources and training, visit the American Red Cross to find a first aid course near you.
Conclusion
Knowing how to react swiftly and correctly when someone has a choked throat can be the difference between life and death. The five-and-five technique and other specific procedures for infants and self-aid are invaluable skills. Remaining calm and acting with confidence is the best course of action. This comprehensive information should give you the tools to help in an emergency and potentially save a life.
