When it comes to choking, every second counts.
Whether it's a loved one or a complete stranger, there is a lot to be said for choking awareness. Being at the right place at the right time – and knowing how to jump into action – can mean the difference between life and death.
In addition to knowing how to prevent choking, it is vital to know what to do when someone appears to be choking. Time is of the essence when it comes to a lack of oxygen.
When a person is choking, his or her airway has become blocked and won't allow air to get into the lungs. According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, after five minutes without oxygen, the brain cells start to die. If oxygen deprivation continues, permanent brain damage can occur. That's why it is critical to prevent choking whenever possible and act quickly if an accident does take place.
First and foremost, it is important to know what to look for when someone is choking. Here are some of the red flags:
- coughing;
- gagging;
- wheezing;
- blue lips or skin; and
- hands around or pointing to the throat signaling that something is wrong and he or she needs help.
Recognizing these signs and acting quickly is imperative. Below are five key ways to prevent and respond to choking incidents.
Take Precautions with Food
Although anybody can choke on food, children and older adults are at a higher risk. There are those foods that have earned a reputation as common culprits, including:
- hot dogs;
- nuts;
- grapes;
- hard candy;
- popcorn; and
- gum.
A study published in the August 2013 edition of Pediatrics found that an average of 12,435 children per year were treated at hospital emergency departments for choking between 2001 and 2009.
The foods most commonly associated with choking at hospital visits were:
- hard candy;
- other types of candy;
- meat; and
- bones.
And it isn't just edibles that endanger lives. Non-food choking hazards include:
- balloons;
- small toys;
- crayons;
- coins; and
- other small objects that can block the airway if swallowed.
Infants should sit upright while being fed and be supervised at all times to avoid the risk of choking. Teach your children to eat their food slowly and to chew before swallowing. You can cut your children's food into smaller, bite-size pieces, especially if you have very young children.
"There is this significant number of children who have to go to the ER because they choked on food," said Dr. Rodney Baker, director of the ER at Miami Children's Hospital. Baker points out that preventing choking in children is as simple as increasing training and awareness. Of course, this isn't just a problem for the young.
Older adults also may be at greater risk. As people age, they should drink more fluids and eat at a slower pace. A study published in September 2013 in the journal Injury Prevention found that 2,214 people older than 65 died in the U.S. between 2007 and 2010 from choking.
Conditions most strongly associated with deaths from choking on food were:
- Parkinson's disease;
- dementia; and
- pneumonitis (lung tissue inflammation).
Sit Down to Eat
Probably the biggest mistake people make when eating is taking it on the run. Everyone leads a busy life with not enough time in the day to get everything done. Unfortunately, the first thing to go is time spent sitting down to actually enjoy a meal. The thing is, it is important to sit down while eating, and not just for enjoyment purposes or to socialize.
The benefits of sitting down for a family meal go beyond bonding with your loved ones. Taking the time to savor a meal without shoveling food down will reduce the risk of choking. As they say, slow and steady wins the race.
Take Small Bites
Quickly eating large forkfuls of food is another choking hazard. The food easily can become lodged in the airways and prevent airflow.
It is important to chew each bite of food carefully, especially for children and for adults who wear dentures. Avoid talking, laughing or drinking too much alcohol during meals because they also pose a choking hazard when you have a mouth full of food.
Cough It Out or Perform the Heimlich Maneuver
Know how to respond to a choking incident. If the airway is only partially blocked, the person choking may be able to cough out the obstruction. At the first sign of trouble, coughing may help dislodge the item and clear the airway. When this doesn't work, call 9-1-1 for emergency help.
If the person has a fully blocked airway, he or she will be unable to talk or breathe. This requires emergency help. Tell someone to call 9-1-1 and begin performing the Heimlich maneuver.
MedlinePlus recommends wrapping your arms around the person's waist, placing a fist, thumb side in, just below the navel, and placing your other hand on top of your fist. Then forcefully pull upward and inward. Repeat until you expel the obstruction. You can receive lifesaving and first-aid training in most communities through a community center, Red Cross or other organization.
Be Aware of a Swallowing Disorder
There are also conditions that can increase the risk of choking. Take a swallowing disorder which is categorized by:
- slow eating;
- tightness in the throat;
- loss of appetite;
- weight loss;
- food remaining on the tongue after swallowing;
- coughing right after eating or drinking;
- pneumonia; and
- having to swallow each bite several times before it goes down.
If you experience these symptoms, consult a physician. To limit the risk of choking on your food, be sure to cut food into smaller pieces, chew it thoroughly before swallowing, and don't eat alone in case you choke and need assistance.
All the preparation in the world may help reduce choking incidents, but choking prevention methods are not always effective. In those cases, it is important that you know what to do. This starts with recognizing the signs of trouble, acting quickly to restore breathing and prevent or minimize damage to the brain, and knowing the steps of the Heimlich maneuver so you can dislodge the blockage.
Learning CPR and the Heimlich maneuver can help save lives, and so can calling 9-1-1 immediately.