"SLC21/WK5: Choking and Airway Obstruction: A Complete Guide to Life-Saving First Aid Techniques "

Welcome, friends, to my blog. Choking is a situation where human airways are obstructed. This may be caused by objects from food, toys, or other small playing materials. There are situations where we choke from improper water consumption. Let's delve into my views for the week.

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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 is a situation where there is an obstruction in the airways, disallowing free airflow to the lungs. There are situations where we have complete or partial obstruction. However, both cases come with difficulty breathing. A thorough understanding of the choking mechanisms and signs is important for effective handling.

Mechanism of Choking

Airway obstruction
This is typical of the understanding relative to choking and its level of occurrence. It is good that we decipher those things that cause choking. This could be from food, toys, and vomits, depending on what is observed breaching the airways. When such happens, happens from the listed objects, they are usually common around the narrowest part of the air part ( larynx & pharynx).

Physiological Responses
This is a time when we observed limited air passage to the lungs or situations where it is stopped completely. This comes with varying symptoms which we should know. The first reaction is that of hypoxia where we have limited presence of oxygen in the lungs and blood. This can be imagined given the effects.

In a situation where the oxygen level is low, invariably, the CO² level is increased, hence causing acidosis. At this stage, we observe the body trying to respond with reflexes that include coughing and sneezing. But in situations where the obstruction is total, these reflexes are inconsequential.

Compensatory Responses
This is a give-back mechanism that the body system puts in to compensate for lost grounds during obstruction. We will observe an increase in respiratory rate to enable more oxygen circulation due to the already-witnessed low oxygen in the body. In the vein, we also have the heart rate increase as it tries to pump more oxygen across the body system.

Distinctive features or signs of choking

1.Coughing
Just like we read from the Physiological responses when we have low oxygen circulation and more CO² in circulation, the body is observed to respond through reflexes. When the individual can cough out well, it is partial obstruction. When they are unable to cough, it is a complete obstruction.

2.Throat Clutching
This is usually one universal sign to note when an individual is choking. We have to note that this individual tends to grip the neck area in an indication to signal where discomfort is coming from.

3.Breathing Sound & Difficult
The larynx and pharynx are the narrowest of the air path, and when a partial obstruction occurs, there is a wheezing sound that shows breathing difficulty and air escape from this narrow passage. However, there is no wheezing sound when an individual airway is completely blocked.

4.Skin Discoloration
This is a change of some body parts which shows the presence of hypoxia or acidosis. Target body parts during cyanosis, including lips and face.

5.Loss of Consciousness
During this complication of hypoxia and acidosis, an individual may be disoriented and coordinated. There may be loss of consciousness which is the result of both symptoms.

Differentiate between partial and complete obstruction

Indices	Partial Obstruction	Complete Obstruction
Universal knowledge	Little breathing pathway for airflow	No breathing pathway for airflow
Coughing	Individual can still use this reflex to eject object	Inability to cough, reflexes are ineffective
Breathing Sound	Availability of wheezing sound	No sound in place.
Speaking Level	Individual can still speak	inability to speak or respond
Conciousness	Individual isn't disoriented but conscious of stimulus	disoriented and unconscious
Danger Level	Less risky and ability to return to nolmacy	Highly risky and life-threatening if no action is taken immediately

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.

While using the Heimlich maneuver, we have to be sure that the individual is choking with breathing, coughing, and speaking difficulty. At this time, we have to be calm so as not to send wrong signals to the affected individual. I will be using a child for over one year.

Positioning

☆ I will have to stand behind him but if he's sitting down, I will have to kneel behind him
☆ I will have to place my hand arms around his waist area.

Technique

☆ at this time, I should place my fist just above his belly button but before the ribcage.
☆ then the second arm which will come from the other side, should grip my other fist.
☆ I should be able to thrust both inward and upward to upward to dislodge the obstruction.
☆ this technique process. should be repeated until results are achieved.

However, in a situation where an individual becomes unconscious, we have to keep them on the ground with the individual facing up. Call for emergency service support and also initiate a CPR protocol to help salvage the situation.

Safety Precautions

In all of these, we should, first of all, avoid using force to execute thrusts to avoid injuries. This protocol should be done with a sense of caution.

We should not forget the DRABC protocol. We have to be sure that the area is well safe to keep individuals safe. At this stage, CPR can be done.

Q3: Consider a situation where you encounter a conscious person choking on food. They are showing signs of cyanosis and restricted breathing. Describe how you will prioritize and manage the situation. Write each step in detail, from identifying choking to performing first aid and ensuring the victim's safety. Include how you would take control of the situation, communicate with bystanders, and seek medical assistance if needed.

1.Decipher the Choking Situation
This is simply done by ascertaining that this is choking. During this, we should look out for some universal signs like coughing, wheezing sound, throat clutching, speaking, etc.

Asking the person if they are choking directly confirms any doubt behind certainty. Their nodes, even without speaking, show certainty in the situation for further aid.

2.Be in Charge of Situation & Stay Calm
Remaining calm without having to show nervousness helps to put every other person in a calm position.

I should quickly be sure I have enough space to perform the Heimlich maneuver at the choking arena. I should be able to stand behind an individual to kick-start the Heimlich maneuver.

I should be able to communicate with bystanders at this time who are watching me to ascertain the degree of effect. I will have to ask them to call emergency support if the issue persists. They should be able to allow an easy flow of oxygen by asking the crowd to give way for space.

3.I will perform the Heimlich maneuver

Positioning

☆ I will have to stand behind him but if he is sitting down, I will have to kneel behind him
☆ I will have to place my hand arms around his waist area.

Technique

☆ at this time, I should place my fist just above his belly button but before the ribcage.
☆ then the second arm which will come from the other side, should grip my other fist.
☆ I should be able to thrust both inward and upward to upward to dislodge the obstruction.
☆ this technique process. should be repeated until results are achieved.

However, in a situation where an individual becomes unconscious, we have to keep them on the ground with the individual facing up. Call for emergency service support and also initiate a CPR protocol to help salvage the situation.

In all of these, we should, first of all, avoid using force to execute thrusts to avoid injuries. This protocol should be done with a sense of caution.

We should not forget the DRABC protocol. We have to be sure that the area is well safe to keep individuals safe. At this stage, CPR can be done.

4.Post Rescue Care
I would have to ensure I gently communicate with the victim if obstruction has been removed. Ensure we are both calm and continually good. I will see the help of a medical practitioner to help ascertain if there were injuries during the time of choking dislodgement.

5.Communicating freely to all around
At this.stage, I should be able to communicate freely with bystanders all I've told. In situations where emergency services arrive timely, I should also narrate all that has transpired

Q4: Create an infographic (visual illustration) on managing choking emergencies. Your design should include key steps, such as how to identify choking, perform back blows and abdominal thrusts, and manage choking in special cases (e.g., infants and pregnant individuals). Ensure your infographic is clear, visually engaging, and easy to understand.

During choking scenarios, we have to be swift as first responders while prioritizing victims safety. Our ability to detect choking, and act accordingly, ensures higher survival rate.

Thank you.

I'm inviting @chilaw, @rosselena, and @stef1