Toddlers often put objects and food in their mouths. Sometimes, these habits can cause toddlers to choke. Children can lose consciousness quickly when choking so it is important to know how to effectively clear their airways using the Heimlich maneuver. If the Heimlich maneuver does not remove the object that is blocking the airway and the child becomes unconscious, you should proceed to steps of CPR.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Estimating the Situation
Step 1. See if the toddler can talk
When a person chokes, he will lose the ability to speak because air cannot enter his respiratory system. Therefore, if a toddler is unable to answer when asked, he may experience choking.
Step 2. Check if your toddler is having trouble breathing
The child may appear to have difficulty breathing. In addition, the child also makes strange sounds when breathing, for example, a high-pitched sound when inhaling.
Step 3. Check for a weak cough
Toddlers may try to cough to clear the blockage from their throat but to no avail. Therefore, the sound of coughing will sound weak. A loud cough tends to indicate that your toddler is not choking because there is enough air to pass through his throat.
Step 4. Look for a bluish tinge
The tip of a toddler's body that can't breathe will begin to turn bluish in color, for example, a bluish or blackish tinge will appear on the toddler's fingernails, lips, or skin.
However, understand that children and toddlers can compensate for choking better than adults so the bluish tinge will not develop as quickly as in adults
Step 5. Avoid intervention if the child is able to speak
Do not perform the Heimlich maneuver if the child is speaking or breathing well. The same is true if the child can cough violently. However, keep an eye on your child to make sure symptoms don't get worse suddenly.
Step 6. See if the toddler is conscious
Choking can cause a toddler to faint. See if your child can look at you when spoken to. This information is generally required when calling 118. Also, proceed to steps for an unconscious toddler if he or she loses consciousness.
You can also lightly pinch your toddler's feet to check for consciousness
Step 7. Ask someone to call 118
If someone else is nearby, ask them to dial 118. If no one else is around, you should attempt the Heimlich maneuver before dialing 118.
Step 8. Ask for approval
If a toddler's parents are around, seek their approval immediately. Every second is precious when it saves someone's life. Several countries have adopted Good Samaritan laws that can guarantee emergency action to save lives if the parents of toddlers are not around.
Part 2 of 3: Performing the Heimlich. Maneuver
Step 1. Bend the child's body
Bend the child's body from the waist up. Place your hands under the child's chest to support him.
- You must kneel on the floor to properly perform the Heimlich maneuver on your child.
- Do not try to pull the blockage out of the child's mouth if he is conscious. Try removing the blockage with the Heimlich maneuver instead.
- In addition, the child can also be prone on the thigh with the face facing down if this position makes it easier.
Step 2. Perform five back strokes
Use the heel of the hand. Hit the back hard right between the shoulder blades five times.
- Back blows should be quite hard. The blow should not be too hard to knock the child down, but should be strong enough.
- The American Heart Association does not teach back strokes when performing the Heimlich maneuver; Heimlich movement (abdominal urge) without a back blow alone is considered quite effective in removing blockages.
- Check if the blockage has cleared. You may see the blockage come out or the child can breathe again.
Step 3. Position your fists
Wrap your arms around the child's body. Use one hand to make a fist and place it just above the child's belly button. Try to position your hands under your breastbone. Cover the fist with the other hand.
Step 4. Press your hands in an upward motion
Push your fists into the child's stomach in an upward motion. Make the push quickly. Repeat the abdominal thrusts four times or until the object causing the child to choke is visible.
Step 5. Call 118
If no one is around and have performed the Heimlich maneuver once, be sure to dial 118. If asking someone to call 118, make sure they have.
Step 6. Check if the above set of actions worked
If that doesn't work, keep alternating back and abdominal thrusts. Continue to do this series of actions until you see the blockage coming out, the child is breathing normally again, or the child is unconscious.
Part 3 of 3: Helping an Unconscious Choking Child
Step 1. Lay the child on the floor
Lay the child on the floor after losing consciousness. The child must be on a flat, hard surface. Make sure to do it carefully.
Step 2. Check for blockages
Swipe your finger over the child's mouth. Gently tilt the child's head to the side and open his mouth, then swipe your finger to remove the blockage if you see it. Only perform this step if the blockage appears to be free; do not try to move it if it is still stuck in the child's throat because the blockage can be pushed deeper.
Step 3. Try giving two rescue breaths
Tilt the child's head back to open the airway by lifting the child's chin. Pinch the child's nose so that no air can escape. Cover the child's mouth with yours and exhale twice, for about a second at a time. Observe if the child's chest looks swollen. If not, move on to the chest compressions step.
If you have difficulty pinching your child's nose and covering your child's mouth with your mouth at the same time, try covering both of them with your mouth
Step 4. Use chest compressions
Find the exact meeting point between the bottom of the ribs on instinct. Your hand should be approximately 2.5 cm above the point where the ribs meet on the child's chest. Place one hand on top of the other flat on the child's chest. The heel of the hand should be in the middle of the child's chest. Press the chest to about 1/3 its depth (approximately 5 cm). Try pressing fast; You have to target 100 pressures in 1 minute. Count to 30 pressures.
Step 5. Recheck the blockage
Chest pressure can release objects that are causing the child to choke. Open the child's mouth and see. Use your finger to remove any visible object. See if the child is breathing again by paying attention to his chest.
Step 6. Continue to perform CPR
Continue to give two breaths and 30 chest compressions alternately, and check for obstruction in the mouth between the two. Always remember to tilt the child's head and lift his chin when giving rescue breaths. Keep doing these two steps until the child's condition changes or help arrives.
Step 7. Seek medical help
Take your child to the doctor, even after he is conscious. Make sure that the child does not suffer any permanent damage.
