When managing choking how many back blows should you provide to the casualty?
If the person is not pregnant or too obese, do abdominal thrusts (also known as the Heimlich maneuver): Show
If the person is obese or pregnant, do high abdominal thrusts:
3. Give CPR, if NecessaryIf the obstruction comes out, but the person is not breathing or if the person becomes unconscious:
4. Follow UpWhen emergency medical personnel arrive, they will take over and may do CPR or take the person to the hospital, if needed. Choking is what happens when something gets stuck in a person's throat or windpipe, partially or totally blocking the flow of air to their lungs. In adults, choking usually occurs when a piece of food enters the windpipe instead of the food pipe. Babies and young children can choke on anything smaller than a D-size battery. Sometimes the windpipe is only partially blocked. If the person can still breathe, they will probably be able to push out the object by coughing forcefully. Be careful not to do anything that will push the blockage further into the windpipe, like banging on the person's back while they are upright. If the object cuts off the airway completely and the person cannot breathe, it's now a medical emergency. The brain can only survive for a few minutes without oxygen. What are the symptoms of choking?Someone may be choking if they:
What should I do in an emergency?Choking — adults and children (over 1 year)If the person becomes blue, limp or unconscious, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Choking — Babies under 12 monthsIf a baby is choking, call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance. Stay on the phone.
Choking: What not to do
If you are choking yourselfIf you are alone and you are choking, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. Try to get someone to help you if at all possible, and keep calm. Try to clear the obstruction with a forceful cough. You can do chest thrusts on yourself to try to dislodge the object:
Recovery from chokingAfter someone has been treated for choking, they may still need medical help if:
Can choking be prevented?It's important to keep all small objects out of the reach of babies and children, including hard pieces of food like lollies and raw apple, household items like coins and batteries, small parts of toys and pebbles. To reduce the risk of choking while eating, make sure your child sits to eat rather than lying down or running around. Cut up food into small pieces and encourage them to chew well. Avoid giving your child choking hazards, such as whole nuts, until they are 5. Check the floor regularly for small objects, and make sure toys aren't broken or damaged. Avoid buying toys with button batteries. Children and adults with a disability, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy or dementia, are at greater risk of choking. Your doctor can give you extra advice about how to help them avoid choking. Should you give 7 back blows if a person is choking?Give up to 5 sharp blows between their shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. The heel is between the palm of your hand and your wrist. Check if the blockage has cleared. If not, give up to 5 abdominal thrusts.
How many back blows should be delivered?Give five back blows.
Place your arm across the person's chest to support the person's body. Bend the person over at the waist to face the ground. Strike five separate times between the person's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
When dealing with a casualty who is choking you should deliver 5 back blows to a baby?Choking — Babies under 12 months
Give up to 5 sharp blows to the back between the shoulders with the heel of one hand. After each blow, check if the blockage has been cleared. Use your little finger to remove the object from their mouth if it has cleared from their airway.
What is the number of back blows given to a choking child?Give up to 5 sharp back blows with the heel of 1 hand in the middle of the back between the shoulder blades.
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