Treating A Choking Child
- If the child is still conscious but has absent or ineffective coughing, give back blows.
- If back blows do not relieve choking, give abdominal thrusts. These maneuvers create an ‘artificial cough’ to increase intrathoracic pressure and dislodge the foreign body
- Repeat up to 4 more times.
- If the obstruction is still not relieved continue alternating 5 back blows with 5 abdominal thrusts.
To give abdominal thrust:
- Stand or kneel behind the child. Place your arms under the child’s arms and encircle their torso.
- Clench your fist and place it between the umbilicus (naval) and the ribcage.
- Grasp this hand with your other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards.