What should you do for a severe chocking responsive infant?

Answer 1

There's no substitute for proper training when it comes to saving an infant from choking. However, emergencies don't wait for training. Follow these steps for a choking infant under 1 year old.

Here's How:

1. Stay Safe

   Be calm and do not panic. Panic is far more likely to contribute to serious medical concerns or even death in any crisis. You should try to assertain if the child is choking or having an allergic reaction before attempting nay intervention. An obvious way to make an educated guess is if you had fed the child objects large enough to become lodged then choking is likely, if however the infant has had loose, small or liquid substances, it's more likely to be an allergic reaction. If an allergic reaction seems the most likely, then call 911/999 immediately.

2. Quickly Assess the Infant

   If the baby can't cough or cry, then he or she is probably choking. Have someone else call 911/99, and go to step 3. If no one is availabe to call 911/999, go to step 3 and try to help the baby for 2 minutes before stopping to call 911/999 yourself. If you think the baby is having an allergic reaction rather than choking on something, call 911/999 immediately.

   If the baby is able to cough or cry, then he or she is able to breathe. Call 911 and watch the baby closely. If the baby suddenly stops coughing or crying and can't seem to breathe, go to step 3.

3. Give 5 Blows to the Back

   Lay the baby face-down on your arm. Hold the baby's head with your hand to keep his or her neck straight. The baby's legs should be straddling your arm near the elbow.

   Lean the baby down at an angle. The infant's head should be lower than his or her waist.

   With the heal of your other hand, strike the baby between the shoulder blades 5 times.

4. Give 5 Chest Thrusts

   Roll the baby from one arm to the other so that he or she is now laying face up. Keep the head cradled in your hand and the legs straddling your arm.

   Hold the baby at an angle with his or her head low and give 5 chest thrusts. Use two fingers on the breast bone right between the nipples. Push down about an inch 5 times.

5. Look in the Baby's Mouth

   If you see something in the baby's mouth, pull it out. Otherwise, keep your fingers out of the baby's mouth and repeat back blows and chest thrusts. Keep doing it until the baby coughs up the object.

IMPORTANT DO NOT ATTEMPT THE HEIMLICH MANOUVER on young children. You risk shattering ribs or causing internal haemorrhaging. In short, you're likely to do far more harm than good.