Experiencing someone choking is a scenario none of us want to think about, but having a basic level of first aid knowledge could just safe a life! We caught up with Jenni from Daisy First Aid to find out what to do in the event of a choking incident.
What does choking look like?
If someone is choking they may suddenly become unable to speak, cough or cry and may go quiet. Breathing may sound wheezy or might be absent. Skin may flush, become initially darker or flushed but then paler with a blue tinge.
What to do if a baby is choking?
Daisy First Aid highly recommend attending a baby and child first aid class so you can physically practise the choking techniques on our paediatric manikins.
It’s important to know the positioning and ideal force used when performing these choking techniques.
It’s important to recognise the difference between gagging (which is very common and normal in babies) and real choking which requires immediate intervention.
How many back blows?
Up to 5 initial back blows`.
Following 5 back blows, if the baby is still choking, follow with up to 5 chest thrusts.
You can repeat the 5 x back blows and 5 x chest thrusts cycle until the blockage is removed or the child loses consciousness. In the case of a baby who is unconscious and not breathing, move onto the CPR sequence. We can show you vital CPR techniques in our baby first aid class.
What to do if a toddler is choking
Encourage the toddler or child to cough, give up to 5 back blows.
If the child is still choking provide up to 5 abdominal thrusts. Repeat the back blows and abdominal thrusts until the blockage has cleared or the child loses consciousness.
If you’re unsure how to provide these techniques, find your local Daisy first aid trainer here who can help you.
Frequently asked questions
Can baby choke on banana? Yes, things like sweets, food or little objects can easily be lodged in the airway if they are breathed in accidentally rather than swallowed.
It’s important to be able to recognise the signs of choking and how to treat it. Daisy First aid classes are run across the UK.
Can a baby choke on mucus? It sounds so frightening but technically yes, if something is blocking the airway and the baby cannot breathe, then this is life threatening and should be dislodged quickly.
Can babies choke on vomit? Baby’s gag reflex is usually very sensitive and brilliant at coughing up spit up, vomit and saliva from their mouths successfully. Whilst yes it is technically possible for a baby to choke, research shows there is no greater risk of choking on vomit if a baby sleeps on their back. In fact it is safer for a baby to sleep on their back and reduces the chance of SIDS.
Find out more
Our multi award-winning baby first aid classes are held in homes, local venues in the UK and online. To book you and your family onto a class please visit Daisy First Aid .
