Why is it important to know first aid steps for choking child? Young children are prone to chocking than adults. One minute is all okay and the next minute your baby is choking. To keep our loved ones safe especially children we need to learn first aid for choking.
Chocking is when there is blockage of air passage by a foreign object such as food, making the victim unable to speak, cough or breath. Choking requires immediate action for it can be life-threatening. Choking can be partial or complete.
Partial is when there is some air that passes to the lungs and complete is when there is total obstruction of air from reaching the lungs. Any interruption to the flow of oxygen into the lungs is dangerous and in some scenarios it may lead to death.
When a child chokes, you need to do first Aid immediately because if the child becomes unresponsive then the throat muscles relax and the airways are will be completely blocked. If this happens to be ready to give CPR as soon as possible.
As we have noted earlier, chocking can happen within seconds, so how do you recognize the choking case.
First, ask the child if he is choking.
If the child can speak, cough and breath then that is a mild obstruction
On the other hand, if the child cannot speak, breath or cough then it is a severe obstruction and hence the child can become unresponsive very soon.
When helping a choking child the following should be your aims,
Giving back blows to a choking child
Giving Abdominal thrust for a choking child.
mouth until the emergency arrives.
If the child becomes unresponsive, open the airways and check for breathing, if the child is not breathing start CPR to try and relieve the obstruction.
As safety for our children is paramount to our happiness, it is advisable to ensure that you or the caregivers are equipped with the necessary first aid skills necessary to handle such emergencies.
At Medswift, we offer first aid training for caregivers (pediatric first aid) as well as basic first aid training. In addition to that, we sell first aid kits that are fully customized for homes, schools and even cars. We are your one-stop-shop for all your safety needs. The Best First Aid, Fire Safety and OSH Trainers in Kenya.