First Aid for Food Choking
Aug 11, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Min
Introduction
First aid for food choking: The Heimlich maneuver is currently the most effective method recognized internationally. It involves delivering an inward and upward thrust to the patient’s mid-to-upper abdomen, causing the diaphragm to rise rapidly. This reduces the volume of the thoracic cavity, generating an upward force in the airway that helps expel the obstructing food from the mouth.
The internationally recognized most effective first-aid technique for food choking is the Heimlich maneuver. This involves delivering a quick, inward and upward thrust to the patient’s mid-to-upper abdomen. The force causes the diaphragm to rise rapidly, thereby compressing the thoracic cavity and generating an upward pressure in the airway—sufficient to expel the obstructing food from the mouth.
In cases where abdominal thrusts are inappropriate—such as in obese individuals or pregnant women—chest thrusts may be performed instead. When administering chest thrusts, care must be taken to compress only the lower half of the sternum; compressing the ribs increases the risk of fracture. Chest thrusts generally produce the same airway-clearing effect described above.
