Is my baby choking? O
n average 40 under 5’s a day are taken to hospital with choking. Prevention is always better than cure. Keep a look out for small objects, anything they can get hold of. Children will frequently explore things with their mouths first, however the most common thing people choke on is food.
If your child shows signs of choking, such as going red, attempting to cough or holding their throat then you must act quickly. If you can see the object in the child’s mouth then try and remove it, but don’t poke blindly. Encourage the child to cough, if they can’t cough or it is not effective, shout for help. Place your child on your knees with their head lower than the rest of the body. Use a firm slap with the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades up to 5 times to encourage the obstruction out.
If 5 back slaps have not removed the obstruction then the next action is abdominal or chest thrusts depending on age. For children under one place them on their back on your knee head lower than body. Using 2 fingers only press firmly in the centre of the breast bone to about a third of chest depth up to 5 times. If this doesn’t remove the object return to back slaps but ensure an ambulance has been called.
For children over one turn the child away from you place one arm around them. Form a fist and place it between the child’s navel and ribs. Place your other hand over this. Pull your fist in and up sharply up to 5 times. If this does not remove the object return to back slaps but call an ambulance.
If at any time whilst treating choking the casualty becomes unconscious then CPR will need to be started straight away. Please remember choking is a form of asphyxia, this can kill within the space of 3 minutes. If you are faced with this don’t delay, act quickly and calmly.
If you want to learn how to carry out First Aid that is specific to babies and children then contact Heys First Aid
www.Heys-Firstaid.com
Small Steps 6
First Aid Training That Meets Your Needs.
In an emergency would you know what to do? 01952 273845
www.Heys-Firstaid.com
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