Fears around choking are very common and totally valid. It’s the main reason a lot of parents book onto our classes. In our classes you will practise the techniques that could save your child’s life so in an emergency you’ll know exactly what to do without even having to think about it.
But how can you tell if a child needs your help? Here’s our guide on how to spot if you can leave a child to it or if they need your help.
So, what should you do if a child is choking severely?
Baby under 12 months:
1 – Hold baby face-down and deliver up to 5 back blows with the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades.
2 – If the blockage isn’t removed turn baby over keeping their head lower than their bottom, and use two fingers on top of their sternum to deliver up to 5 chest thrusts.
3 – If the blockage still isn’t removed shout for help and get someone to call 999 (or 112). But don’t interrupt treatment.
Continue steps 1 and 2 until the blockage is removed or help arrives.
If the baby goes unconscious, commence CPR immediately.
Child over 12 months:
1 – Encourage the child to cough, lean them forward, support the front of their shoulders with your arm and deliver up to 5 back blows with the heel of your other hand between the shoulder blades.
2 – if the blockage isn’t removed, get behind them and place your arms around them. Form a fist between their belly button and their rib cage, cover it with your other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards up to 5 times.
3 – If the blockage still isn’t removed shout for help and get someone to call 999 (or 112). But don’t interrupt treatment.
Continue steps 1 and 2 until the blockage is removed or help arrives.
If the child goes unconscious, commence CPR immediately.
To practise these techniques and learn how to deal with a wide range of other emergencies in a fun and relaxed environment, book a Daisy First Aid class with your local trainer today by clicking here.