Airway Apol)

Airway obstruction •Airway

obstruction, also known as choking, occurs when the airway (route for passage of air into and out of the lungs) becomes blocked. •The restoration of breathing takes precedence over all other measures.The reason for this is simple: If a casualty cannot breathe, he or she cannot live. Individuals who are choking may stop breathing and become unconscious. •The universally recognized distress signal for choking is the casualty clutching at his or her throat with one or both hands. •The most common causes of airway obstruction are swallowing large pieces of improperly chewed food, drinking alcohol before or during meals, and laughing while eating. The tongue is the most common cause of obstruction in the casualty who is unconscious. A foreign body can cause a partial or complete airway obstruction.

Partial Airway Obstruction

If

the casualty can cough forcefully, and is able to speak, there is good air exchange. Encourage him or her to continue coughing in an attempt to dislodge the object. Do not interfere with the casualty's efforts to remove the obstruction. First aid for a partial airway obstruction is limited to encouragement and observation. When good air exchange progresses to poor air exchange, demonstrated by a weak or ineffective cough, a high-pitched noise when inhaling, and a bluish discoloration (cyanosis) of the skin (around the finger nails and lips), treat as a complete airway obstruction.

Complete Airway Obstruction Ask "Are YOU choking?" If the casualty is choking, do the following: A complete airway obstruction presents with a completely blocked airway, and an inability to speak, cough, or breathe. If the casualty is conscious, he or she may display the universal distress signal.

Universal Distress Signal





1. Shout "Help"-Ask the casualty if you can help. 2. Request medical assistance - Say "Airway is obstructed" (blocked) Call (Local emergency number or medical personnel).

Abdominal Thrust



3. Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver) a. Stand behind the casualty. b. Place your arms around the casualties waist. c. With your fist, place the thumb side against the middle of the abdomen, above the navel and below the tip (xiphoid process) of the (sternum) breastbone. d. Grasp your fist with your other hand. e. Keeping your elbows out, press your fist (Fig. 23) into the abdomen with a quick upward thrust. f. Repeat until the obstruction is clear or the casualty becomes unconscious.