- Foreign bodies may cause either mild or severe airway obstruction.
General Signs of Choking
- Attack occurs while eating
- Patient may clutch at neck
Signs of Mild airway obstruction
- Patient able to speak, cough and breathe
Signs of severe airway obstruction
- Patient unable to speak
- Attempts at coughing are silent
- Wheeze
- Unconscious
- Unable to breathe
Back Blows:
- Stand to the side and slightly behind patient
- Support the chest with one hand and lean the patient forwards
- Give up to 5 sharp blows between the scapulae at a 90° with the heel of the hand
- Check after each back blow to see if airway obstruction has been relieved.
Chest Thrusts:
- Identify the same compression point as for CPR
- Give up to five chest thrusts which are similar to chest compressions but sharper and delivered at a slower rate
If patient showing signs of mild airway obstruction
- Encourage coughing
- Constant observation preparing for deterioration
If patient shows signs of severe airway obstruction and is conscious
- Give up to 5 back blows
- If back blows fail to relieve airway obstruction give up to 5 chest thrusts
- If obstruction still unrelieved continue alternating 5 back blows with chest thrusts
If patient becomes unconscious
- Commence CPR as per Cardiac Arrest Guidelines
- As per Primary Care guidelines
- Attempt to remove visible obstruction; utilise laryngoscope and magill forceps if necessary, trained and authorised.
- Attempt to ventilate; if unsuccessful, consider surgical cricothyrotomy if necessary, trained and authorised.
- Transport urgently
- As per Advanced Care guidelines
Additional Information
Document Control
Clinical Resources Website
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