While the above is super helpful and will help in a choking emergency. It is no comparison to learning these skills in real life. The Tiny Hearts First Aid course guides parents through choking first aid and gives you ample time to practise your skills on manikins. To view dates or to book, click here.
Choking or Gagging?
Have you ever watched your child shove a whole bunch of food in their mouth, only to spit it out five seconds later? You’re not alone.
COMPLETE OBSTRUCTION: If your child does not have an effective cough you should: • DRSABCD • Call 000 • Place your child in a head down position - infant (under 1 year old ) across your lap and child (1 - 8 years old) sitting or standing up • Give up to five back blows using the heel of one hand, in between the shoulder blades. Short and sharp. Check the airway between each back blow to see if the obstruction has cleared.
IF YOUR CHILD IS STILL CHOKING: Give up to five chest thrusts using two fingers (one hand for a child), in the middle of the chest between the nipples. Short and sharp. Check the airway between each chest thrust to see if the obstruction has cleared.
IF YOUR CHILD IS STILL CHOKING: Alternate between five back blows and five chest thrusts until the obstruction is cleared (checking the airway to see if it has cleared in between each back blow or chest thrust), paramedics arrive, or until they render unconscious. If they render unconscious you must start CPR.
Note: The obstruction may clear during CPR compressions. If this occurs roll your child on their side and clear the mouth of the foreign object.
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