Unconscious choking maneuvers.
After the compressions, look in the mouth and if you see the object, sweep it out. If not, attempt to ventilate again; if breaths don't go in, repeat: compressions, look, sweep if object seen, and attempt to ventilate.
Chest compressions should not be interrupted for the placement of a trachea or endotracheal tube during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Continuous chest compressions are crucial for maintaining blood circulation to vital organs. If airway management is necessary, it should be performed quickly and efficiently, ideally by a trained provider, to minimize interruptions. However, if the airway is already secured, compressions can continue without interruption.
Chest compressions are for cardiac problems, to maintain some blood circulation. The Heimlich Maneuver is for a blocked airway. If the person has a blocked airway and Heimlich did not clear it, chest compressions are not going to help. Find other ways to clear the airway.
The 30 compressions should be given at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.
Look for and treat airway obstruction
The most common cause of airway obstruction in any patient - supine or not - is the tongue. This is why the first maneuver that should be performed on a patient not breathing is the head-tilt/chin-lift or the jaw thrust. This is to help clear the tongue from the airway and may allow the person to breathe again.
A finger sweep should be performed on an unconscious individual when there is a visible obstruction in the mouth and the person is not breathing adequately. However, it should only be done if the rescuer can see the object, as blindly sweeping can push the obstruction further down the airway. It is not recommended for conscious individuals or those who are making sounds, as they may be able to cough or breathe on their own. Always prioritize calling for emergency help in any airway obstruction scenario.
The high-pitched sound caused by airway obstruction is called stridor. It is typically heard when a person breathes in and can indicate a blockage in the upper airway, such as the throat or voice box. Stridor may be a sign of a medical emergency and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
To relieve severe airway obstruction in a responsive adult, first, encourage the person to cough forcefully to try to expel the obstruction. If the obstruction persists, perform the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts) by standing behind the individual, placing your arms around their waist, and delivering quick inward and upward thrusts. Continue this until the obstruction is cleared or the person becomes unresponsive, at which point you should initiate CPR and call for emergency medical assistance.
During hands-only CPR, it is recommended to perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
During chest compressions, you should compress the chest at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep for adults, while allowing full recoil between compressions. For children, compressions should also be about 2 inches, and for infants, approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm). The compressions should be performed at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Proper depth and rate are crucial for effective blood circulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
When performing CPR on a non-responsive choking victim, you should first attempt to clear the airway by giving up to five back blows between the shoulder blades and five abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) if the victim is still conscious. If the victim becomes unresponsive, begin CPR immediately, but incorporate chest compressions with a focus on delivering rescue breaths after every 30 compressions. Before giving breaths, attempt to open the airway and check for any visible obstruction; if you see an object, remove it if possible. Continue this cycle until emergency help arrives or the victim recovers.