How to Treat a Conscious Choking Infant

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:TreatConsciousChokingInfant
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How to Treat a Conscious Choking Infant

Introduction

A choking victim can't breathe, which deprives the brain of precious oxygen. Using the following technique could save a life.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Steps

1

Step One

Look for signs of choking: coughing for several minutes without stopping; inability to cough, cry or breathe; abnormally weak cough; a high-pitched wheezing sound.
2

Step Two

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Hold the infant, placing his or her front side along your forearm, stabilizing him or her by holding the face with your fingers.
3

Step Three

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Bend your knee, keeping the lower half of your leg perpendicular to the ground, and making a 45-degree angle between your lower and upper leg.
4

Step Four

Place your forearm - the one that's holding the infant - against your upper leg.
5

Step Five

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Give five quick, sharp yet gentle blows to the infant's back, using the heel of your other hand. The blows should land between the infant's shoulder blades.
6

Step Six

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Transfer the infant to the other forearm so that his or her back is against it.
7

Step Seven

Place the forearm - the one that's holding the infant - against your upper leg, with your other leg in the same position as before.
8

Step Eight

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Give five quick yet gentle thrusts with your middle and index fingers together on the center of the infant's breastbone.
9

Step Nine

Repeat the back-blow-and-chest-thrust cycle until the object is dislodged and the infant can breathe again.

Tips & Warnings

  • "Infant," for these purposes, refers to people younger than approximately age 1 (for children older than infants, see "How to Treat a Conscious Choking Adult or Child").
  • If the choking infant falls unconscious, check visually for the obstructing object and sweep it out. If you can't find or remove the object, treat for unconscious choking (see "How to Treat an Unconscious Choking Infant").

Overall Tips & Warnings

  • This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Overall Things You'll Need

  • First Aid Kits
  • First Aid Books
  • First Aid Classes
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