Choking is a medical emergency that occurs when a person’s airway is partially or completely blocked, preventing them from breathing properly.

People can choke on a wide range of objects, but some items are more commonly associated with choking than others. Here are some of the most common objects that people choke on:

1. Food: The majority of choking incidents occur when food gets stuck in the airway. Foods that are particularly problematic include hard candy, nuts, popcorn, grapes, and chunks of meat.
2. Small objects: Small objects, such as coins, buttons, and small toys, can also become lodged in the airway and cause choking.
3. Household items: Household items such as safety pins, screws, and nails can also cause choking if they are accidentally ingested.
4. Medical devices: Some medical devices, such as dentures or hearing aids, can become dislodged and cause choking.
5. Liquids: While less common, it is possible to choke on liquids, especially if a person has difficulty swallowing or a medical condition that affects their ability to swallow properly.

It’s important to note that anything small enough to fit in a person’s mouth can be a choking hazard, so it’s essential to keep small objects out of the reach of children and to always supervise young children while they eat.

How can you tell when someone is choking ?

Someone may be choking if they:

• clutch their throat (universal sign of choking)
• cough, wheeze or gag
• have difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing
• make a whistling or ‘crowing’ noise
• can’t make any sound at all
• have no air coming out of their nose and mouth
• have blue lips, face, earlobes or fingernails
• are very agitated
• lose consciousness

So what do we do when someone is choking ?

It is essential to act quickly to clear their airway and restore their breathing. Here are some steps you can take to manage the situation:

Determine if the person is actually choking: Ask the person if they are choking or if they can speak or cough. If the person is not able to speak, cough or breathe, they may be choking.

Choking — adults and children

If the person becomes blue, limp or unconscious, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

1. Try to keep the person calm. Ask them to cough to try to remove the object.
2. If coughing doesn’t work, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
3. Bend the person forward and give them up to 5 sharp blows on the back between the shoulder blades with the heel of one hand.
   After each blow, check if the blockage has been cleared.
4. If the blockage still hasn’t cleared after 5 blows, place one hand in the middle of the person’s back for support. Place the heel of the other hand on the lower half of the breastbone (in the central part of the chest). Press hard into the chest with a quick upward thrust, as if you’re trying to lift the person up.
   After each thrust, check if the blockage has been cleared.
5. If the blockage has not cleared after 5 thrusts, continue alternating 5 back blows with 5 chest thrusts until medical help arrives.

Choking — Babies

If a baby is choking, call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance. Stay on the phone.

1. 1. Lay the baby face down on your forearm with their head lower than their body, supporting their head and shoulders on your hand.
   2. Hold their mouth open with your fingers. Make sure you keep supporting their head.
   3. Give up to 5 sharp blows to the back between the shoulders with the heel of one hand.
      After each blow, check if the blockage has been cleared.
   4. Use your little finger to remove the object from their mouth if it has cleared from their airway.
   5. If the blockage has not cleared after 5 back blows, place the infant on their back on a firm surface. Place 2 fingers on the lower half of the breastbone and give up to 5 chest thrusts — like CPR compressions, but slower and sharper.
      After each thrust, check if the blockage has been cleared.
   6. If the blockage has not cleared after 5 thrusts, continue alternating 5 back blows with 5 chest thrusts until medical help arrives.

1. Call for emergency medical help: If the person is choking and you cannot clear their airway quickly, call emergency medical services right away.
2. If the person is unconscious: Begin CPR immediately. Tilt the person’s head back and clear their mouth of any visible obstructions, then start chest compressions and rescue breathing.
3. Prevention: The best way to manage choking is to prevent it from happening in the first place. This includes cutting food into small pieces, chewing food thoroughly before swallowing, and avoiding talking or laughing with food in your mouth.

Remember, choking is a medical emergency that requires immediate action. If you are unsure about how to manage choking, it is best to seek professional medical help.