It was late when I stopped at the local steak house. A quick meal before returning home for some much needed rest. I was returning from an extended trip covering four states.
I was surprised at the number of people still eating at this late hour. The waitress took my order and my meal arrived quickly. As I was sitting there enjoying my steak, I noticed a man across the room coughing. As a medic I was glad that he was able to cough. It meant his airway was clear.
Only a few moments had passed when I noticed he is no longer coughing and his hand was clutching his throat. His skin color was turning blue and he was now standing. His face reflected pure horror.
I ran over and found he was unable to talk. He was choking and his airway was completely blocked. He was a large man but I was able to get my arms around him to perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver). It took four thrusts before the large piece of steak came up and out of his mouth. His airway was clear.
I sat with him for a few minutes to make sure he was okay. He was exhausted and his breathing was rapid. This is not unusual for someone who just had a complete airway obstruction. After a few minutes he was breathing normally and state he was fine. He thanked me and I returned to my table to find a fresh, hot steak waiting on me. The waitress noticed what was happening and decided to make sure my meal was hot.
Choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional injury death. In 2015 5,051 people died from choking. Of this number 2,848 were over the age of 74. Living alone, having dentures and difficulty swallowing, increases the chance of elderly people choking.
Symptoms of Choking
Clutching one’s throat
Unable to speak
Gagging
Turning blue or gray
Look of distress or horror in his face
Performing the Heimlich Maneuver
If the individual is coughing, allow them to cough to clear the airway.
If the individual stops coughing and exhibits the above symptoms perform the abdominal thrusts.
Stand behind the victim with one leg forward between the victim’s legs
For a child, move down to their level and keep your head to one side
Place the thumb side of your fist against the abdomen just above the navel.
Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust inward and upward into the victim’s abdomen with quick motion.
Do not put pressure on the ribs.
Chest thrusts can be delivered if the victim is a responsive pregnant victim, or any victim you cannot get your arms around.
Continue thrusts until the object is expelled from the airway.
After choking stops the patient may need to see a doctor.
It is estimated that this simple technique has saved over 100,000 choking victims. For more information you can contact your local EMS, your hospital or the Red Cross.
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Romans 15:1
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