MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia:Choking first aid - adult or child over 1 year

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Choking first aid - adult or child over 1 year - series: Part 4

Choking first aid - adult or child over 1 year - series
Illustrations:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Performing first aid for a choking child is very similar to an adult. If the child does not clearly grab their throat other danger signs for a child and an adult include:

Inability to speak
Weak, ineffective coughing
Noisy breathing or high-pitched sounds while inhaling
Difficulty breathing
Bluish skin color
Loss of consciousness if blockage is not cleared

1. Stand behind the child and wrap your arms around the child’s waist.

2. Make a fist with one hand. Place the thumb side of your fist just above the child’s navel, well below the breastbone.

Update Date: 1/16/2007

Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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