This is a picture of the lungs of a small child who died of suffocation. It is a peanut. Peanuts and other nuts are the size of the airway of a child younger than 4 to 5 years. Hot dogs, grapes and life saver candies are the greatest offenders.

The risk of death from suffocation is real, but it is avoidable. PLEASE DO NOT OFFER TO SMALL CHILDREN: WHOLE DRY FRUITS, POPCORN, NUTS NOR ANY FOOD THAT MAY RESEMBLE SIZE TO SMALL CANDIES.

It’s time to learn some first aid maneuvers and preventative measures.

Abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver or Heimlich maneuver, is a first-aid procedure used to treat upper-airway obstructions (or choking) by foreign objects. American doctor Henry Heimlich is often credited for its creation. To performing abdominal thrusts, a rescuer stands behind a choking victim and using the hands to exert pressure on the bottom of the diaphragm. This compresses the lungs and exerts pressure the object lodged in the trachea in an effort to expel it.

*** Many people are still advocating back blows for choking adults thinking that it helps to expel objects….  HOWEVER if you look at the physics involved you will realize why back blows do NOT work…  a practical experiment to so this is by use of a wood handled hammer. How do you tighten a loose hammer head?  You bang the hammer down on something hard and immovable –handle first– this forces the head tighter onto the handle. [[Ask an OLD person about this]]

IF you are alone, you can still use modified Abdominal thrusts by ‘bouncing’ your belly on the back of a chair which will squeeze your lungs and hopefully pop the offending item out of your airway.

For the victim, SLOW down and pay attention to what you are doing. Take smaller bites and CHEW your food well! Have a drink close by to help you swallow.  WHEN you start to choke PUT DOWN what ever you have in your hands instead of dividing your attention to what is going on. When possible, dine with a friend [IE avoid eating alone] ALL food should be finely cut to decrease the size so it is easier to chew and swallow.

Statistically you will have to respond to a friend or family member more often than a stranger. UNLESS you are a first responder or daycare provider. Choking happens more often when you are distracted, so pay attention. IF you are under the influence of medications/sedatives or alcohol you will have a higher chance of choking. IF you are partying [talking, LAUGHING, fooling around] the chances of choking goes up.

Talking [or getting startled] with your mouth full increases your chances of choking.

Notify someone EARLY when you [or another is] are choking….   dial 911 , the dispatcher will realize what is going on and send you help–they will try to get to you in time. IF you are calling for someone else- give your address and clearly state someone is choking…  you can put the phone on speaker so you will be able to keep working on the victim. First responders would rather roll and get cancelled when the obstruction is removed – rather than arrive too late to help.

 This is a picture of the lungs of a small child who died of suffocation. It is a peanut. Peanuts and other nuts are the size of the airway of a child younger than 4 to 5 years. The risk of death from suffocation is real, but it is avoidable. PLEASE DO NOT OFFER TO SMALL CHILDREN: WHOLE DRY FRUITS, POPCORN, NUTS NOR ANY FOOD THAT MAY RESEMBLE SIZE TO SMALL CANDIES. Hot dogs, grapes and life saver candies are the greatest offenders.