FIRST AID FOR CHOKING IN ADULTS

 Choking is an inability to breathe caused by a blockage in the throat or windpipe. Blockage could be either food in adults, toy materials in children. 

If someone is gasping for breath i.e. choking, try to calm them, and "ask them" if they are alright. "If they are choking, they won’t be able to respond at this time"

Time to act!!

If he/she is choking and coughing: ENCOURAGE them to keep coughing. This should relieve the choking.

If no relief, start by GIVING 5 BACK SLAPS

If this doesn’t help: perform "ABDOMINAL THRUSTS"

ABDOMINAL THRUSTS (depicted in the picture)

1. Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around his/her abdomen with one hand made into a fist.

2. The thumb of your fisted hand should rest against the person's abdomen. 

3. Grasp that fist with your other hand and press with one upward thrust. Repeat 5 times. This will push up/out the obstruction. 

4. Check intermittently to see if the obstruction is out. For your 1st thrust may have dislodged the object.