How to Perform First Aid for Choking
In order to respond appropriately to choking, it is important to assess the severity of the airway obstruction first. This can be done by determining whether the cough is effective or ineffective.
Effective Cough
An effective cough can clear the airway and suggest a mild airway obstruction. If the choking elder is awake, able to take breath before coughing, and verbal responses are present, this indicates effective coughing. In this case, you should:
- Reassure the elder and encourage them to keep coughing. This may help remove the blockage.
- If the object is still not ejected and the condition worsens, call an ambulance.
Ineffective Cough
An ineffective cough is characterised by a partial obstruction with inadequate air exchange or complete obstruction. This suggests a severe airway obstruction, displaying signs such as breathlessness, decreasing level of consciousness and poor chest rise.
If the choking senior is unconscious, you need to send for help immediately and start CPR.
However, if the person is awake and shows ineffective coughing, here are steps to follow:
- Send for help
- Give 5 back blows
- Apply a sharp blow to the centre of the patient’s back
- After each blow, check to see if the object has been dislodged. The aim is not to deliver all five blows, but to dislodge the object.
- If not effective, give 5 chest thrusts
- Apply at the same point on the chest that is used for CPR
- Deliver at a sharper, but a slower rate than chest compressions during CPR
- Support the patient’s back for proper effect
- After each thrust, check to see if the object has been dislodged. The aim is not to deliver all five thrusts, but to dislodge the object.
- Alternate between back blows and chest thrusts until an ambulance arrives or obstruction is cleared.
After a choking incident has occurred, provide reassurance to the elder and closely monitor if there are other alarming signs. Then, notify the patient’s general practitioner and family about the event, and devise a risk prevention plan to prepare for possible future choking incidents.
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