How to Treat an Unconscious Choking Infant

A choking victim can't breathe, which deprives the brain of precious oxygen. Using the following technique could save a life.

Instructions

Initial Assessment

• 1

  Treat for unconscious choking under the following conditions: the choking infant fell unconscious while you were treating for conscious choking, or breaths won't go in during rescue breathing even after you've retilted the head (see Related eHows on rescue breathing).

Treatment for Choking

• 2

  Hold the infant, placing his or her front side along your forearm, stabilizing him or her by holding the face with your fingers.

• 3

  Bend your knee, keeping the lower half of your leg perpendicular to the ground, and making a 45-degree angle between your lower and upper leg.

• 4

  Place your forearm - the one that's holding the infant - against your upper leg.

• 5

  Give five quick, sharp yet gentle blows to the infant's back, using the heel of your other hand. The blows should land between the infant's shoulder blades.

• 6

  Transfer the infant to the other forearm so that his or her back is against it.

• 7

  Place the forearm - the one that's holding the infant - against your upper leg, with your leg in the same position as before.

• 8

  Give five quick yet gentle thrusts with your middle and index fingers together on the center of the infant's breastbone.

• 9

  Sweep out the infant's mouth using the technique for an obstructed airway, but only if the obstructing object is visible (see "How to Clear an Obstructed Airway").

• 10

  Tilt the head and give two slow breaths. If the breaths won't go in, re-tilt the head and give two more breaths.

• 11

  Repeat the cycle of back blows, chest thrusts, mouth sweep, head tilt, breaths, head re-tilt and breaths until breaths go in, or until the infant begins breathing on his or her own.

• 12

  Check for pulse and breathing once breaths go in (see "How to Check Airway, Breathing and Circulation").

• 13

  Provide CPR or rescue breathing as necessary (see eHows on CPR and rescue breathing).