What care should you give to a conscious child who is choking and coughing?

If a child is conscious and coughing or choking, it's important to provide immediate assistance. Follow these steps:

1. Encourage Coughing:

Allow the child to continue coughing. Coughing is a natural reflex that helps expel the foreign object.

2. Stay Calm:

Remain composed and reassure the child. Panic can worsen the situation.

3. Do Not Perform a Blind Finger Sweep:

Avoid blindly sweeping your finger into the child's mouth, as this can push the object further down or cause gagging.

4. Back Blows:

If the cough is ineffective and the object is lodged, perform back blows:

- Place the child face-down over your forearm, with their head lower than their chest.

- Deliver 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.

5. Chest Thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver):

If the back blows are unsuccessful, turn the child face-up and perform chest thrusts:

- Place the child on a flat surface.

- Kneel beside the child's head and place the heel of one hand on the center of their chest, just below the nipples.

- Place your other hand over your first hand and interlock your fingers.

- Quickly thrust inward and upward, compressing the chest about 1.5 to 2 inches deep, and then release the pressure.

- Repeat the chest thrusts until the object is dislodged or the child starts coughing forcefully.

6. Call Emergency Services:

If the child is still choking after several back blows and chest thrusts, call emergency services immediately.

Remember, it's crucial to seek professional medical help if the choking persists or the child loses consciousness.