Choking

Foreign body airway obstruction or choking may be partial

or complete and may be present in the conscious or
unconscious casualty. The signs and symptoms of the
obstruction will depend on the cause and the severity
of the condition. Airway obstruction is a life threatening
emergency.
Causes – Inhaled foreign body e.g. food.
Signs and symptoms – The conscious person who inhales
a foreign body may have extreme anxiety and agitation
and be making gasping sounds. They may be coughing or
cannot speak. If the foreign body is not expelled, it may
progress to a complete obstruction, where the casualty
will be struggling and cannot speak or breathe. They will
usually be holding their hands up to the throat which is
recognised as the universal choking sign.
First aid – The aim
is to remove the
object causing the
obstruction. This
is done initially
by 5 back blows,
followed by 5 chest
thrusts with the
sequence being
repeated until the
object is dislodged.

An ambulance should be called immediately for complete

obstruction, whether the casualty is conscious or
unconscious. If possible others should be asked to do this
so that treatment can be commenced straight away.