As a workplace First Aider, you are likely to come across first aid incidents that need immediate assistance, such as choking. Choking can be fatal and knowing what to do to assist someone in a choking incident is invaluable.
Training as a workplace First Aider will give you the knowledge and skills you need to help when someone is choking, and you can find out more here about our certified first aid training.
Disclaimer: You should only administer first aid for choking incidents if you have been first aid trained.
What does choking look like?
Choking is not always immediately obvious, and can be missed if you are not aware of what to look for. An adult who is choking will be unable to speak, cough or breathe and they may grab at their chest or neck or try to signal to you that they are having difficulties.
Choking can prevent oxygen getting to the brain and if this occurs for longer than four minutes, there is a possibility of brain damage or even death. Knowing how to cope with a choking incident can give you peace of mind and help you to save a life.
What to do if someone is choking:
Seeing someone choking can be extremely worrying and keeping yourself calm is the best way to help. Your first aid training course will help you to practice staying calm when dealing with first aid emergencies.
If someone is choking, the first thing you can do is encourage them to cough. If coughing clears the blockage in the mouth or throat, you can simply sit with your casualty and encourage them to calm down with deep, slow breaths to recover from their choking incident.
If coughing does not relieve choking, you will need to administer first aid. The protocol for dealing with choking incidents is as follows:
- Help your patient to lean forwards and deliver up to five back blows in order to dislodge the blockage in the throat or mouth. Back blows must be delivered using the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades, which creates pressure in the airway and can dislodge a blockage.
- If choking is not resolved with back blows, you should give up to five abdominal thrusts. Abdominal thrusts can dislodge the blockage by squeezing the air out of the lungs but can be dangerous if not carried out correctly, as taught during your first aid training.
- You should always call emergency services on 999 or 112 and repeat the above process until you manage to dislodge the blockage or until medical assistance arrives.
If you have administered abdominal thrusts, it is important that your patient is checked over by a medical professional.
Children and Babies
As a workplace First Aider, you will usually be dealing with adults in first aid situations. However, this is not always the case if you are working with members of the public or if you use your first aid training in personal situations. The first aid protocol is slightly different for children under the age of one year, and your first aid training course will equip you to deal with this situation.
First Aider Training Courses in Ireland
You can become a workplace First Aider by attending one of our First Aid Training courses in Ireland. Our approach is inclusive and comprehensive and we believe that first aid training should be available to everyone. During our training course, we will give you the knowledge to recognise first aid situations such as choking and the essential first aid skills needed to save lives.
At ASM, our aim is to deliver excellent training that makes your workplace safer, empowering you and your team to manage your own health and safety and deal with first aid emergencies at work. We will be happy to discuss your training needs, so contact us for further information or to book your place on our First Aid Training today.
Important Note: The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is crucial to seek proper training from a certified first aid professional before attempting any first aid techniques or procedures. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalised guidance and to ensure your actions align with your specific circumstances.
