You are in the canteen and you notice a man at the next table suddenly looks distressed and reaching for his neck.
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1. What is happening here?
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Correct answer: He is choking. The typical situation is of an acute onset in someone who is eating and/or drinking.
Consider small toys and other non-food foreign bodies in children.
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2. If you suspect a foreign body should you perform finger sweep?
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Correct answer: No, blind finger sweeps of the patient’s oropharynx must not be performed as this can push a foreign body further into the airway and even make a partial obstruction complete.
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3. How would you help?
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Correct answer: If the obstruction is mild, encouragement of an effective cough might be enough. If coughing is ineffective then alternating back blows and abdominal thrusts (five of each) are carried out.
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4. How is an abdominal thrust performed?
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Correct answer: The caregiver stands behind the patient, linking their hands together halfway between the patients xiphisternum and umbilicus. A sharp inward and upward movement is performed (Heimlich manoeuvre).
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5. How is a back slap delivered?
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Correct answer: With the flat of the hand between the scapulae.
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6. What should you do if the patient becomes unresponsive?
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Correct answer: If the patient becomes unconscious then basic life support CPR should be started as well as calling for help.
