I am pleased to participate in 5th week of SLC Season 21. This week, we will be learning Choking and Airway Obstruction: A Complete Guide to Life-Saving First Aid Techniques. So Let's start,

Q1: Describe in detail the mechanism of choking. What happens physiologically when the airway is obstructed? List and explain the distinctive features or signs of choking, including how to differentiate between partial and complete obstruction.

Choking

Choking is when a foreign object, such as food, liquid, or other object, blocks the airway, resulting in a blockage of air to the lungs. When this happen one have very difficulty in breathing because of air block. This blockage can occur at different levels of the airway: the larynx, trachea, or bronchi.

Before I discuss this in detail, I would like to share an incident. Recently, I was watching a drama where a woman was standing at the airport drinking juice and suddenly she put her hand on her throat and fell to the ground. For a few moments, I did not understand what happened to her but immediately a man came forward and gave first aid to the woman. Since then, I have become familiar with choking and it is not only about solid objects, it can also be caused by drinking liquids and inhalation.

Mechanism of Choking

Airway Blockage: Any foreign object gets stuck in the throat or airway while eating, chewing, drinking any liquid, or inhaling. The foreign particles pass into the trachea instead of the esophagus.

Coughing Reflex: As an initial reaction, the body tries to expel the object by coughing.
It increases one's intra-abdominal pressure, helping dislodge that foreign object.

Reduced Airflow: Two things can happen here, firstly, air does not reach the lungs and remains blocked or it restricted air reaching the lungs (less air is inhaled), resulting in oxygen deprivation.

Oxygen Deprivation: Without oxygen, the brain and other organs are affected, which can cause unconsciousness, brain stroke, and even death.

distinctive Signs and Symptoms of Choking

There are two types of Choking. Partial Choking and Complete Choking. Some distinctive sings of chocking are:

• Coughing: The victim will start coughing forcefully to clear the obstruction.

• Throat Clutching: High-pitched sounds caused by air passing through a narrowed airway.

• Breathing Difficulty: Gaggling or noisy breathing. Sometimes victim silently attempt to breathe.

• Speaking Ability: The victim may able to speak or if it is complete choking then cry.

• Skin Discoloration: Visible skin colour changing which is called Cyanosis or skin become blue.

• Loss of Consciousness: Prolonged obstruction can cause unconscious because of lack oxygen supply in our brain.

• Universal Choking Sign: The victim instinctively clutches their neck with both hands.

Differentiate between partial and complete obstruction

Q2: Demonstrate the Heimlich maneuver on a sibling, child, or peer (using safe simulations). Attach pictures of the demonstration and explain the procedure in detail, highlighting key points such as positioning, technique, and safety precautions.

In this section I will demonstrate the Heimlich maneuver on a child who is 8 years old. Demonstrating the Heimlich Maneuver for a Child (Aged 1–8). The Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts) for a child is little different with the adults. Here is the procidure of safely performing the maneuver.

Assess the Situation

First, the situation must be observed and assessed. Initially, we can understand the type of choking by looking at the victim's symptoms. If the victim coughs, can speak or breathe, encourage the cough to clear the obstruction early. Because it is possible to get out of this situation through coughing, so the next step shouldn’t be taken without observing the next condition of the victim. If the victim cannot breathe, talk or cough, cries (without sound), then the choking technique must be started immediately.

FIRST AID PROTOCOL

• First I stand behind the victim and wrap my arms around his waist.

• I made a fist and place it just above the navel.

• I grasp my fist with my other hand and perform 5 quick upward thrusts.

• I Continue thrusting until the object is dislodged or the child become unconscious.

• Remember the DRABC protocol? The very first thing after assessing the danger is call for help. So in such situation call for emergency services immediately.
• Then lay him flat on their back and begin CPR process. I explained it in my privious participation which is perform 30 chest compressions.
• Deliver him 2 rescue breaths.
• Check the mouth for visible obstructions after each cycle.

Safety Precautions

• We shouldn’t appy excessive force which can lead internal organs or ribs injuries.
• avoid attempting futher steps if the child is coughing effectively.
• Don’t forget to call for emergency help:

Key Points to Remember

• Apply the force to the child’s size and strength because all child aren’t same.
• Always focus thrusts above the navel but below the ribcage.
• Call for medical help immediately, no matter the object is clear or not, just don’t wait.
• Learn this basic aid and practice this to save life whenever we need this.

Q3: Consider a situation where you encounter a conscious person choking on food. They are showing signs of cyanosis and restricted breathing.

1. Assess the situation

• If will ask him "Are you ok?" becuse he is conscious.
• If he cannot speak, cough, or breathe, then it is complete obstruction or choking.
• If he coughing or able making noise, encourage him to continue coughing because there is a high change it may clear the airway.

2. Call for Help

• Before start further procedure I will ask someone to call the emergency medical service.

3. Perform the Heimlich Maneuver (Abdominal Thrusts)

It varies for adult, children and infants. As in is provided situation there is no specification about victims age so I will go for adult.

• As I am redy to help him so first I Position myself, stand myself behind him

• Then Wrap my arms around their waist.

• Place the thumb side of my fist just above his navel or belly button and below the ribcage.

• Then I make a fist with one hand and grip my fist with the other hand.

• Then I quickly , upward thrusts into his abdomen. I Use enough force to create pressure so that I can expel the object.

• Repeat this and check his mouth if the particle is visible.

• If he becomes unconscious suddenly

• Lay him on ground on their back.

• Begin CPR

• Continue until the medical help arrives.

4. Ensure Aftercare

• I will stay with him and ensure his aftercarer.

What I observe from the situation

Cyanosis or changed skin colour into blue is a critical warning which indicates the oxygen deprivation. So I have to act quickly and of course with care because less supply of oxygen to his brain can damage his brain.

Create an infographic (visual illustration) on managing choking emergencies.

I am inviting my friends @sohanurrahman
@shohana1 @ana07 to participate in this SLC.

Regards

@pea07