Welcome to FirstAid4Free

Welcome to my first aid site. I'm a first aid trainer and assessor. I've been teaching first aid for about 10 years now. Everyone should have some first aid knowledge for in the home and work place. Not everyone has the chance to attend a full first aid course so I'll provide some key first aid points every week.

Important Notice

The information on this site is for guidance only. The first aid procedures are those in the current edition of the First Aid Manual at the time of inclusion on the site. Attendance on a first aid course to practice these procedures is always recommended.

Choking


Recognition:

Choking is caused by a foreign object becoming lodged in the top of the airway. Choking comes in two categories - mild and severe. In all cases the casualty will be in visible distress, trying to gasp for breath and will become discoloured in the face. A casualty with mild choking will be able to cough out the obstruction by themself. In the case of severe choking the casualty will struggle to cough, speak and breathe - they need urgent help to remove the obstruction before they lapse into unconsciousness.

Treatment (Adult or Child):
If the casualty appears to be choking:
  • Ask the casualty to cough. If the obstruction becomes dislodged remove it from the casualty's mouth.
  • If the obstruction remains give the casualty up to 5 sharp back blows:
    • Strike between the shoulder blades in a firm upwards motion.
    • If the obstruction becomes dislodged remove it from the casualty's mouth, if not perform abdominal thrusts.
  • If the obstruction remains give the casualty up to 5 abdominal thrusts (picture above):
    • Put your arms around the casualty from their back to front.
    • Position your hands over the stomach of the casualty.
    • Make a fist with one hand and grasp the fist with the other hand.
    • Firmly pull your fist in an inwards and upwards motion.
    • If the obstruction becomes dislodged remove it from the casualty's mouth.
  • Give two more cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts if the obstruction is still not clear.
  • If the obstruction is not clear after your 3 cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts call 999.
  • Continue until help arrives.
Treatment (Infant <1 year)
If the child is visibly distressed, unable to cough or breathe:
  • Lay the infant along your forearm with their head low and support their back and head.
  • Give up to 5 back blows:
    • Be firm but not too hard.
    • If the obstruction becomes dislodged remove it from the casualty's mouth.
  • If the obstruction remains turn the casualty on to their back and give up to 5 chest thrusts:
    • Use two fingers, push inwards and upwards (towards the head) against the infants breastbone, one finger's breadth below the nipple line.
    • The aim is to relieve the obstruction with each chest thrust rather than necessarily doing all five.
  • Give two more cycles of back blows and chest thrusts if the obstruction is still not clear.
  • If the obstruction is not clear after your 3 cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts call 999.
  • Continue until help arrives.