ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences

 

 

CHOKING

Do not interfere if the person choking is coughing or able to speak.¹⁰ If this is not the case the following steps are recommended to dislodge any obstruction:

1. Place one hand firmly on the victim's chest. With the heel of the other hand give four sharp blows between the victim's shoulder blades.

OR 2. Stand directly behind the victim. Place your arms under his or her armpits and place the thumb of one fist directly in the middle of the victim's sternum. Firmly grasp the fist with your other hand and pull sharply backwards four times.

If the person still cannot speak or cough, that is, there is no evidence that the obstruction has been dislodged:
3. Alternate between 1 and 2 until the victim revives and the obstruction is dislodged, or until the victim loses consciousness.
If the victim loses consciousness:
4. Lay the victim on his or her back and apply artificial respiration.
If the chest does not rise and fall:
5.Attempt to remove the obstruction by opening the jaw and lifting the tongue and bottom jaw forward. This opens the throat and should allow you to remove or dislodge the object.
6. Give artificial respiration until the victim regains consciousness.
If the chest still does not rise or fall:
7. Keep applying artificial respiration until medical help arrives.

 

 

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