Choking
A person who is choking
will instinctively grab at the throat. The person also may panic,
gasp for breath, turn blue, or be unconscious (see p. 1216).
If the person can cough or speak, he or she is getting air. Nothing
should be done.
Immediate
care
If the person cannot cough or speak, begin the Heimlich maneuver
(see p. 1205) immediately to dislodge the object blocking the windpipe.
The Heimlich maneuver creates an artificial cough by forcing the
diaphragm up toward the lungs.
If you are
choking and alone You can perform the Heimlich maneuver on
yourself by giving yourself abdominal thrusts. Or position yourself
over the back of a chair or against a railing or counter and press
forcefully enough into it so that the thrust dislodges the object.
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