Choking

Choking is in the PEM syllabus, and is a really easy thing to learn. Unfortunately, medics are often notoriously bad at basic first aid!

Resus Council Guidelines
Page 26
Paediatric Algorithm
Adult Algorithm
- Remember - 5 back blows first (the terminology is important to emphasize the force needed).
- Then 5 abdominal thrusts
- If the patient becomes unconscious, you should start chest compressions, even if they have a carotid pulse.

These excellent videos show why it is important to know how to deal with choking:

St John Ambulance Popcorn Video
St John Ambulance Helpless Video
St John Ambulance - Abigail

First Aid Advice:
St John written advice
St John video advice
Red Cross video advice
Excellent divisional summary from St John Ambulance


Choking Presentation

There is a good journal article here (Pediatrics 2013;132;275; originally published online July 29, 2013), listing what children commonly choke on. You won't be surprised to learn that sweets are a common culprit!

Apnoea, stridor and airway and obstruction

For more blog posts and information on PMP2, click here. 

The college syllabus is well defined:

These are tricky subject areas to find information on, and very rare in practice.
For the allergic causes of airway obstruction, visit the anaphylaxis page.

For more airway posts, click here.

 

For more epiglottitis posts, click here. 

 

For more choking posts, please click here.

For more surgical airway posts, please click here. 

For more tonsillectomy posts, please click here.