Choking: What It Is and How to Respond as a First Aider

Choking is a serious medical emergency that occurs when an object becomes lodged in a person’s airway, preventing them from breathing properly. As a first aider in the UK, knowing how to respond quickly and effectively can save a life.

What is Choking?

Choking happens when a foreign object, such as food or a small item, obstructs the airway, making it difficult or impossible to breathe. This can lead to a lack of oxygen and, if untreated, can result in unconsciousness or even death.

Common Causes of Choking

Choking can happen to anyone, but it is most common in young children and older adults. Common causes include:

• Food – Large pieces of meat, hard sweets, nuts, and poorly chewed food.

• Small objects – Buttons, coins, marbles, or toy parts (common in children).

• Swallowing difficulties – Some medical conditions make swallowing harder, increasing the risk of choking.

Signs of Choking

A person who is choking may display the following symptoms:

• Clutching their throat (the universal sign for choking)

• Difficulty speaking, coughing, or breathing

• A red or blue face (due to lack of oxygen)

• Silent attempts to cough or cry (especially in infants)

• Loss of consciousness if the obstruction is not cleared

What to Do as a First Aider in the UK

If someone is choking, you must act quickly:

1. Encourage them to cough – If the person can still breathe and cough, encourage them to keep coughing to try to clear the obstruction.

2. Give back blows – If coughing does not work, stand behind them and give up to 5 firm back blows between their shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.

3. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich manoeuvre) – If the blockage remains, stand behind them, place a fist above their navel, and pull inwards and upwards sharply up to 5 times.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 if needed – Alternate between 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged or emergency help arrives.

5. Call 999 if the obstruction is not cleared – If the person becomes unconscious, begin CPR and continue until professional help arrives.

Choking in Babies Under 1 Year Old

For infants, the approach is different:

• Lay the baby face down along your forearm, supporting their head.

• Give up to 5 back blows between their shoulder blades.

• If this doesn’t work, turn the baby onto their back and give up to 5 chest thrusts (using two fingers in the centre of the chest).

• Call 999 if the object is not removed and continue the cycle of back blows and chest thrusts.

Preventing Choking

To reduce the risk of choking:

• Cut food into small pieces and chew thoroughly.

• Keep small objects out of reach of young children.

• Be cautious when eating while talking or laughing.

Final Thoughts

Choking can be life-threatening, but quick action and knowing the right techniques can make all the difference. First aid training can provide hands-on practice for dealing with choking incidents, ensuring you feel confident in an emergency.

Stay informed, stay prepared, and help save lives!