Have you ever felt so hungry that you eat like there’s no tomorrow? But, sometimes you almost choke from consuming too much food. Choking happens when a foreign object is stuck in the throat and windpipe, and then blocks the flow of air. The universal sign of choking is hands clutched to the throat. This will make people aware that the person is choking.
It’s fortunate if you choke when there’s someone else around you as they can immediately save you. But, what if you’re choking yourself and there’s no one around? So, what do you do?
According to a tweet by Khairul Hafidz here are the steps that you can take to save yourself if you’re choking:
- Firstly, place the fist slightly above the navel.
- Hold the fist of one hand, and bend yourself over a hard surface (for example, a chair).
- Then, push the fist in and up.
Picture: Mayo Clinic
On the other hand, what if you happen to witness someone else choking? Here are the steps that can be taken:
Heimlich maneuver
- Stand behind the person. Place one foot slightly in front of the other for balance. Wrap your arms around the person’s waist. Tip the person slightly forward.
- Make a fist with one hand. Place it slightly above the person’s navel.
- Hold the fist with the other hand. Press hard into the stomach with a quick upward thrust; as if trying to lift the person.
- Do 6-10 abdominal thrusts until the blockage dislodges.
Picture: Hopkins Medicine
- Place your fist at the base of the breastbone.
- Hold the fist with the other hand.
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Give a quick thrust to the chest.
Picture: Nurse Key
Other than that, these are the signs to detect if a person is choking:
- Unable to talk
- Difficulty breathing or noisy breathing
- Weak or forceful cough
- Squeaky sounds when trying to breathe
- Skin, lips, and nails turning blue
- Reddish skin then turns pale or bluish in color
- Loss of consciousness
