Preventing Choking Made Easy

Children under 5 have the highest risk of choking, but it can happen to anyone at any age. Dr. Henry Heimlich, the surgeon who invented the Heimlich Maneuver, before his passing had the opportunity of using his technic to save a fellow resident at his retirement home when she started choking during dinner. He was 96, and she 87!

900 people dying per year from choking and 2500 people dying from asphyxiated airways in the UK alone and 50% of choking cases are caused by food. Such emergencies can be extremely frightening or distressing for both the patient and the rescuer and so taking simple steps to learn how to deal with choking emergencies can save lives.

Take a look at some suggestions below for dealing with choking in adults, and some extra precautions for children and babies.

Preventing Choking for Adults:

1.    Take small bites – Cut your food into small pieces. 

2.    Chew each mouthful thoroughly – Watch out for foods that encourage big bites, like juicy steaks and thick sandwiches.

3.    Sit down to eat – There’s a flap called an epiglottis at the base of your tongue that opens to let air into your windpipe, and closes to keep out food. When you walk or talk while eating, it’s harder for your epiglottis to keep up.

4.    Drink liquids –Preferablywater, as this helps food to go down more smoothly. Have a drink between mouthfuls.

5.    Rethink nut butters – Size isn’t the only factor in choking; Texture plays a part, making peanut butter a common hazard. Adding jelly helps to prevent a thick glob from forming in your mouth. 

6.    Avoid food games –Eating competitions or even throwing grapes and catching them in your mouth can lead to tragedy. Find safer forms of entertainment.

7.    Talk with caregivers –Seniors sometimes choke due to having less saliva, wearing dentures or taking certain medications. Discuss your concerns with your loved ones, their caregivers or doctors

Preventing Choking for Children:

1.    Supervise eating – Most of the guidelines for adults hold true for kids as well. Model good habits for your children and keep a close eye on them during meal times and snacks.

2.    Be selective about food – It’s wise to keep things like popcorn and nuts away from children until they’re over 4 years old.Wait until they have their back teeth for grinding, and more practice eating.

3.    Inspect toys – Consult the age labels on toys and throw them out if parts become loose or broken. Watch your surroundings for coins or other small items a child may want to play with and put in their mouth.

4.    Expect gagging – Some gagging is natural in children as they master solid food, and they’ll usually recover quickly on their own. Talk to your doctor pediatrician if you are worried about your child’s swallowing due to tonsillitis or throat infections. 

How to deal with choking for adults and children over 1 years old:

Step 1:

If the person can cough or talk encourage them to cough and monitor them carefully.

Step 2: 

If the person is unable to cough or talk give the person 5 Back Blows; if the airway is still block give 5 abdominal thrust (Heimlich maneuver) and repeat 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrust (Heimlich maneuver)until the object is cleared or the person becomes unresponsive.

Step 3

Call the emergency services on 999 / 112 then

Step 4 

Start performing CPR Compressions delivering 30 chest compression and then 2 breaths, check for the object and continue with 30:2 until the object is clear or if you see it and can remove it do so but DO NOT BLIND FINGER SWEEP.

How deal with choking baby under the age of 1 years old:

Step 1:

If the baby is choking give 5 Back Blows then check the airway, if it’s still block give 5 chest thrust and repeat 5 back blows and 5 chest thrust until the object is cleared or the person becomes unresponsive.

Step 3

Call the emergency services on 999 / 112 

Step 4 

Start performing CPR Compressions delivering 30 chest compression using 2 fingers and then 2 breaths continue CPR 30:2 until the object is clear or if you see it and can remove it do so but DO NOT BLIND FINGER SWEEP.

Choking represents the fourth leading cause of home injury deaths, and causes about 100,000 hospital visits each year. Protect yourself and your loved ones by eating carefully, creating a safe environment for your children, and learning First Aid and the Heimlich maneuver at www.safeheartstraining.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can choose to use LIFEVAC Anti-Choking device. The LifeVac is a non-powered single patient portable suction apparatus developed for resuscitating a choking victim when standard BLS protocol has been followed without success.

The negative pressure generated by the force of the suction is 3 times greater than the highest recorded choke pressure. The duration of suction is minimal so LifeVac is safe and effective.

How LifeVac Works

LifeVac is designed with a patented valve to prevent any air from exiting through the mask. This patented designed valve prevents air from pushing food or objects downward. This creates a one-way suction to remove the lodged food or object in the event of choking.

• Generates over 300 mmhg of suction
• No prescription required

LifeVac is Safe, Easy to Use, Life-Saving!