1. © 2011 National Safety Council AIRWAY OBSTRUCTIONS LESSON 7 7-1

2. © 2011 National Safety Council Choking Emergencies Choking is a total or partial obstruction of airway Common cause of respiratory arrest Immediate care is needed 7-2

3. © 2011 National Safety Council Choking Risks Over 4,600 people die from choking each year Adults over age 65 are twice as likely to die as younger people from choking Most cases can be prevented! 7-3

4. © 2011 National Safety Council Choking Risks continued Trying to swallow large pieces of food that haven’t been chewed sufficiently Eating too quickly Eating while engaged in other activities Alcohol or drugs often involved Dentures increase risk History of stroke 7-4

5. © 2011 National Safety Council Mild Choking Victim is coughing forcefully Victim is getting some air -May be making wheezing or high-pitched sounds with breath Do not interrupt coughing or attempts to expel object 7-5

6. © 2011 National Safety Council Severe Choking Victim getting little air or none Victim may look frantic and be clutching at throat (universal sign of choking) Victim may have pale or bluish coloring around mouth and nail beds Victim may be coughing weakly and silently or not at all Victim cannot speak 7-6

7. © 2011 National Safety Council Choking Care (Responsive Adult or Child) Responsive choking victim who is coughing: -Encourage coughing to clear object -Call 9-1-1 if object not immediately expelled Responsive choking victim who cannot speak or cough forcefully: -Give abdominal thrusts If choking victim becomes unresponsive, immediately call 9-1-1 Begin CPR with chest compressions 7-7

8. © 2011 National Safety Council Abdominal Thrusts (chest thrust) 7-8

9. © 2011 National Safety Council Responsive to Unresponsive If complete airway obstruction not cleared, victim will become unresponsive in minutes Quickly and carefully lower victim to floor on back Begin CPR with 30 chest compressions -Check for object in mouth each time you open it to give rescue breaths 7-9

10. © 2011 National Safety Council Unresponsive Victim Check for normal breathing If victim not breathing normally, start CPR with 30 chest compressions If first breath doesn’t go in after opening airway – try again to open airway and give breath If second breath doesn’t go in – give care for choking 7-10

11. © 2011 National Safety Council Choking Infants If infant is crying or coughing – watch for object to come out If infant cannot cry or cough -Have someone call 9-1-1 -Give alternating back blows (slaps) and chest thrusts If infant becomes unresponsive – give CPR starting with chest compressions -Check for object in mouth each time before giving a rescue breath 7-11

12. © 2011 National Safety Council 5 Back blows 5 Chest thrusts 7-12