It is important that you inform people with whom you spend time how to help you if you should choke.
* If you begin choking, they should ask if you can speak.
* If you can speak, they should use assisted coughing.
* If you cannot speak, they should:
o apply four back blows (sharp blows between the shoulder blades with the palm of their hand)
o apply four manual thrusts (assisted cough)
o repeat four back blows and four manual thrusts until they are effective.
o Call Emergency Medical Services if the above procedure is not effective.
————————
PoinTIS Copyright © 1998 the Louis Calder Memorial Library of the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, all rights reserved.