SAVING SOMEONE/THING FROM CHOKING

Recommendations for the treatment of choking victims has changed over the years. The Red Cross used to advise back blows, a medium blow with the palm of the hand between the chokers shoulder blades.

This changed in the 1970’s when Dr Henry Heimlich introduced the “Heimlich maneuver”. The Red Cross changed their recommendations in the 1980’s to the “Heimlich maneuver” only to change them back in the 2006 to a combination on first 5 back blows and then 5 “abdominal thrusts”. Dr Heimlich requested that his name be taken out of the text books as he didn’t agree with the new guidelines.

Evidence supports the new findings of 5 by 5 movements.

To perform an abdominal thrust stand behind the person. Make a fist with one hand and place it thumb first just under the ribs. With the other hand grab the fist and thrust inwards and upwards.

Choking recommendations for infants is different. Its 5 light back pats and then 5 light chest presses with the fingers.

There are also different procedures depending on the scenario. For instance the victim could be unconscious on the deck. If it’s clear from bystanders that it is indeed choking then you can perform both abdominal thrusts and back pats on the ground.

For the back pats turn the victim onto their side using the recover position.

If they are in the back then straddle their legs and apply your palms to the same area as the regular maneuver only this time pressing upwards. This is will look like badly performed CPR.

Make sure their head is tilted sideways. The ideal outcome is for them no to re-choke on the same bit of crusty cobb.

Another situation to consider is that you are all on your lonesome watching an episode of X-files when disaster strikes.

To perform abdominal thrusts on yourself you will need a chair. Lean over the chair with the area just under the center of the ribs resting on the top of the chair rail. Holding the chair compress your chest down onto the back of the chair and wish for the best of luck.

What about pets? As a dog owner I think it’s important to be able to prevent your pooch from choking.

Understand that a choking dog might be more likely to bite so do these techniques at your own risk.

First check for obstacles in the mouth if you’re able to open it. Use tweezers to retract or break up an obstacle. Don’t use the fingers as you might push the object further down. If this doesn’t work then you can try abdominal thrusts.

For small dogs hold the dogs’ spine against your chest by holding ribs. Make a fist and make small thrusts inwards and upwards just at the natural soft area at the end of the ribs.

For larger dogs you can use a similar technique as with humans. Kneeling over them make a fist and pull the fist in with the other hand.