6 Airway Obstruction Airway Obstruction Korean Red Cross

6 Airway Obstruction

Airway Obstruction Korean Red Cross Important Definitions Airway: Parts of the respiratory system through which air flows from the nose and mouth to the lungs. Choking: A common breathing emergency when the airway is blocked by a foreign object, swelling in the mouth or throat or by fluids. Cyanosis: A bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin due to deficient oxygen of the blood. Learning Objectives Recognize the symptoms of airway obstruction. Distinguish an airway obstruction emergency from a cardiac emergency. What to do when you are unable to give effective abdominal thrusts. What to do when a person with airway obstruction becomes unconscious.

Definition and Symptoms of Airway Obstruction Korean Red Cross Choking is a common breathing emergency. If a conscious person is choking, his or her airway has been blocked by a foreign object such as piece of food or a small toy, by swelling in the mouth or throat, or by fluids such as vomit or blood. The airway may be partially or completely blocked. With a partially blocked airway, the person usually can breathe with difficulty. A person whose airway is completely blocked cannot breathe at all. A person with a partially blocked airway may be able to get enough air in and out of the lungs to cough or to make wheezing sounds. The person may also get enough air to speak. If the choking person is coughing forcefully, let him or her try to cough up the object. A person who is getting enough air to cough or speak is getting enough air to breathe. Stay with the person and encourage him or her to continue coughing. However, if the person continues to cough without coughing up the object, have someone call 1 -1 -9.

Complete First Aid on a Person with Airway Obstruction First Aid for an Adult or Child Korean Red Cross ①Stand or kneel behind the person and wrap your arms around his or her waist. ②Make a fist with one hand place thumb side against the middle of the person’s abdomen, just above the navel and well below the lower tip of the breastbone. ③Grab your fist with your other hand give quick, upward thrusts into the abdomen. ④Continue abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged and the person can breathe or cough forcefully, or becomes unconscious.

Complete First Aid on a Person with Airway Obstruction First Aid for an Infant Korean Red Cross Position the infant face-up on your forearm. Place your other hand on top of the infant, using your thumb and fingers to hold the infant’s jaw while sandwiching the infant between your forearms. Turn the infant over so that he or she is facedown on your forearm. Lower your arm onto your thigh so that the infant’s head is lower than his or her chest. Then give 5 firm back blows with the heel of your hand between the infant’s shoulder blades. Each blow should be a separate and distinct attempt to dislodge the object. Maintain support of the infant’s head and neck by firmly holding the jaw between your thumb and forefinger. Give up to five back blows Give up to five chest thrusts

Complete First Aid on a Person with Airway Obstruction Korean Red Cross Special Situations chest thrusts too big or pregnant person alone lean over and press your abdomen against any firm object

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