St. James Parish Emergency Preparedness Department and the St. James CAER members encourage you to take a First Aid class to learn the proper techcniques for assissting choking victims. Contact your local hospital (St. James Parish Hospital 225-869-5512) for course offerings. These First Aid instructions are intended only as a refreshner to a course you have already taken.
Conscious Victim Standing
Reconize choking signs
Choking victims will have diffuculty speaking, breathing, coughing and may be wheezing with a high-pitched noise clutching their throat. Ask if he or she is choking. If able to speak or cough effectively, do not interfere.
If choking - administer the Heimlich Manuver
Stand or kneel behind victim and wrap arms around victims waist. Make fist with one hand. Place thumb side of fist into abdemon above navel and below rib cage. Grasp fist with other hand and press backward with 6-10 quick thrust until object becomes dislodged or victim regains consciousness
Victim Lying Conscious or Unconscious
Check if conscious or unconcious
Gently tap and shake shoulders to determine if child is ok. If unresponsive call out for "Help!" Tell someone to call 9-1-1
Position victim carefully on back
If victim is lying down, roll child flat onto back. Supporting head, neck and torso carefully turn child as a unit without twisting.
Open airway. Check for breathing
Apply downward pressure with hand on forehead and gently lift with the other hand just under chin. Place ear close to victim's mouth and nose. Look for rise and fall of chest. Listen and feel for breathing.
Attempt to ventilate
Keeping head tilted and airway open, pinch child's nose with thumb and index finger. Cover victim's mouth and attempt to get air into the lungs.
Finger Sweep for Foriegn Objects
Open victim's mouth by grasping toungue and lower jaw and lift.If foriegn object can be seen, insert index finger of other hand along cheek deep in mouth. Using hooked finger try to dislodge object.
If unsuccesful, reattempt to ventilate.
