What do you if see someone choking?
1. Stay calm and assess the situation. Make sure the person is actually choking and not just coughing or gagging.
2. Encourage the person to try to cough up the obstruction. If they can cough, try to help them by encouraging them to cough forcefully.
3. If the person cannot cough up the obstruction, perform the Heimlich maneuver. This is a series of abdominal thrusts that can help dislodge the object from the airway.
To perform the Heimlich maneuver:
* Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their waist.
* Make a fist with one hand and place the thumb side of your fist against the person's abdomen, just below their breastbone.
* Grasp your fist with your other hand and pull it inward and upward, using quick, forceful thrusts.
* Continue performing the Heimlich maneuver until the object is dislodged or the person begins to breathe again.
4. If the person loses consciousness, start CPR. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique that can help keep a person's heart and lungs functioning until medical help arrives.
To perform CPR:
* Kneel beside the person and place the heel of one hand on their sternum, just below their nipple line.
* Place your other hand on top of the first hand and interlock your fingers.
* Give the person 30 chest compressions, pushing down hard and fast at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.
* After 30 chest compressions, give the person 2 rescue breaths. To do this, pinch the person's nose closed and cover their mouth with your mouth, blowing until their chest rises.
* Continue performing CPR until medical help arrives.
Note: If the person is pregnant, you may need to modify the Heimlich maneuver. For more information, refer to the American Red Cross guidelines for performing the Heimlich maneuver on pregnant women.