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Basic Life Support For A Choking Toddler

by: Parul | last updated: September 22, 2009
Category: Baby Care Essentials: Skincare & First Aid | Tags: First Aid, Choking

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Basic Life Support For A Choking Toddler

Coughing is nature’s way of trying to clear the airways or dislodge an obstruction in the lungs or the windpipe. A child who is choking on food or on a foreign object and who can breathe, cry and cough forcefully should not be interfered with. But if the child continues to cough for more than 2 or 3 minutes, call for emergency medical assistance. If the cough becomes ineffective or the child is struggling for breathe, making high-pitched crowing sounds, unable to speak or cry, and/or is starting to turn blue, then some procedures can be helpful and perhaps even life-saving.

An airway obstruction may also occur with such infections as croup. A child, who is struggling to breathe and seems ill, has fever and possibly, congestion, drooling, lethargy or limpness, needs immediate medical attention at an emergency care facility.

Get help. If someone else is present, have them call for emergency medical assistance. If you are alone and unfamiliar with the rescue procedure or if you panic and forget them, take the child with you to the phone and call for emergency medical assistance immediately. It is recommended that even if you are familiar with rescue procedures, you take the time to call. That way help can be on the way in case the situation worsens.

Position yourself. Kneel behind the child and wrap your arms around his or her waist.

Position your hands. Make a fist with one hand and place the thumb-side in the center of the body slightly above the navel and well below the rib cage. To avoid the severe internal damage, do not apply pressure to the tip of the sternum or to the lower margins of the rib cage.

Administer abdominal thrusts. Grasp the positioned fist with your other hand and press it into the child’s abdomen with a quick inward and upward thrust. Each thrust should be a separate, distinct movement, the object ejected or the child begins breathing normally.

If the child loses consciousness, attempt to open the airway and if necessary, attempt rescue breathing.

If the airway remains obstructed, then position the child and yourself. Place the child face up on a firm, flat surface, stand or kneel at the child’s feet.

Position your hands. Place the heel of one hand on the abdomen slightly above the navel and well below the rib cage, fingers facing toward the child’s face. Place the second hand on the top of the first.

Administer abdominal thrusts. With the upper hand pressing against the lower, administer a series of up to five inward and upward abdominal thrusts. Thrusts should be delivered to the midline, not to either side, and each should be separate and distinct movement. These should be gentler than they would be for an adult or older child.

Continue repeating this sequence until the airway is clear and child is conscious and breathing normally or until emergency medical assistance arrives. The advise in this guide does not replace professional medical advice and should be followed in extreme situations only.