Body May I ask you a question?
Choking
Choking occurs when a foreign object
lodges in the throat or windpipe, blocking the
flow of air.
In adults, a piece of food often is the
culprit.
Young children often swallow small
objects.
Choking is caused by a mechanical
obstruction of the airway that prevents normal
breathing. This obstruction can be partial
(allowing some air passage into the lungs) or
complete (no air passage into the lungs).
The disruption of normal breathing by
choking deprives oxygen delivery to the body.
Romania, Italy, France, England, Portugal, Poland
Symptoms:
• Hands clutched to the throat
• Inability to talk
• Difficulty breathing or noisy breathing
• Squeaky sounds when trying to breathe
• Cough, which may either be weak or
forceful
• Skin, lips and nails turning blue or dusky
• Skin that is flushed, then turns pale or
bluish in color
• Loss of consciousness
2015-18
 Consequences: The “five-and-five” approach to
delivering first aid:
Choking is something that happens in day
to day life, and its’ consequences can be from
• Give 5 back blows. Stand to the side and
losing your breath for a few moments to death. just behind a choking adult. For a child,
kneel down behind. Place one arm across
Depending on the time the organism was the person's chest for support. Bend the
without oxygen and if the person lost their person over at the waist so that the upper
consciousness, choking can lead to: body is parallel with the ground. Deliver
five separate back blows between the
1. Hoarseness or loss of voice, person's shoulder blades with the heel of
coughing, nausea/vomiting, your hand.
difficulty swallowing, drooling, • Give 5 abdominal thrusts. Perform five
abdominal thrusts (also known as the
aspiration.
Heimlich maneuver).
2. Injury to the wind pipe (trachea) and • Alternate between 5 blows and 5
hence difficulty breathing. thrusts until the blockage is dislodged.
3. Injury to the neck (muscles/blood
vessels especially carotids and
jugular)
4. Reduced blood flow to the brain
(leading to unconsciousness)
thereby leading to reduced oxygen
delivery. If maintained for 4–6
minutes can lead to permanent brain
damage. If held furthermore, can
lead to death.
5. Seizures, stroke, haemorrhage,
coma.

It is very important to help immediately a

person who is choking, to prevent serious
injuries or damage.

If you feel choking, it is imperative to

signal someone besides you or to call
emergency services.

Romania, Italy, France, England, Portugal, Poland 2015-18