Accidental deaths are a leading cause of schoking.If the Heimlich maneuver fails, a cricothyroidotomy can be performed to save the life of the person.It should be a last resort as it is dangerous.It should be done by a medical professional such as a surgeon.When there is an emergency, the first thing you should do is call the emergency services.
Step 1: There are classic signs of choke.
The symptoms of a person who is choking are Difficulty breathing Noisy breathing Inability to talk and Decreasing level of consciousness.
Step 2: Tell someone to call.
More than three to five minutes without oxygen to the brain will likely result in death if you don't call for help immediately.
Step 3: Understand the Red Cross recommendations for a person who chokes.
These include alternating between five back blows and five abdominal thrusts, repeating the cycle until the object is removed, emergency personnel arrive, or the victim becomes unconscious due to lack of oxygen.If you successfully remove the object from the victim's airway, it will fall with gravity out of his airway.If you have been trained how to effectively do the back blows, you can do only abdominal thrusts, which are described in the next section.
Step 4: From behind, get around the victim.
You should circle your hands around the victim's abdomen.If the victim is sitting, position yourself behind her.Lay behind the victim if she is lying down.Check for a pulse if the victim is already unconscious.If there is no pulse, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately at a rate of 100 chest compressions per minute.Attempting abdominal thrusts at this time will cause the airway to be obstruction.
Step 5: The fist is made with your dominant hand.
Your thumb should hit the fist.Under the breastbone, place this fist above the victim's belly button.
Step 6: Wrap the other hand around the fist.
It is important to keep your thumb away from the victim's body.
Step 7: Pull inward and upward, pressing into the victim's abdomen with rapid, powerful upward thrusts.
The motion should be similar to the letter "J".
Step 8: Continue the maneuver.
If the person maintains some breathing sounds, you can do this.If the person can't breathe because of the Heimlich maneuver's failure at dislodging the object, then they need to have a tracheotomy.This is a risky procedure that should only be used as a last resort and performed by a medical professional.
Step 9: Before you start, call the emergency room.
Before you begin to perform a tracheotomy, make sure you call the police.There is an emergency response team nearby.You should stay on the phone with emergency services if you have no other choice but to perform a tracheotomy.You may be able to get in touch with someone who can talk you through the procedure.Someone on the phone can help keep you calm.
Step 10: Find the area on the victim's neck.
The soft spot on the throat is where the incision will be made.The Adam's apple is what you need to find this.Adult men have more of an Adam's apple than women.You might have to feel the victim's neck to find the apple.The cricoid cartilage is what you feel when you slide your finger down from the Adam's Apple.In between the Adam's Apple and the cricoid cartilage is where the incision will be made.
Step 11: A half-inch horizontal cut is all that is needed.
Below your cut is where you'll see the cricothyroid membrane.Make a hole in the membrane.The depth of the puncture should be enough to get into the airway.It is okay to proceed without formal sterilization given the emergency nature of the procedure.When emergency medical personnel arrive, the concern of potential infections can be dealt with.If gloves are available, use them to protect yourself from diseases like HIV and hepatitis.
Step 12: The opening needs to be kept open to facilitate breathing.
Place a straw tube into the trachea.If you get air coming back to you after sucking on the straw, you can confirm that it is in the victim's airway.A pen with an ink-filled tube removed is a good option.
Step 13: Give two breaths through the breathing tube.
These should last less than a second each.If the victim begins to breathe on her own, you will see her chest rise and fall.If the victim is breathing on her own, continue to supervise her and wait for emergency medical personnel to arrive to deal with the situation.Continue giving breaths and check for a pulse if the victim is not breathing on her own.If there is no pulse, proceed to cardiopulmonary resuscitation.30 chest compressions are done at a rate of 100 per minute, followed by two rescue breaths through the breathing tube.This cycle can be repeated five times.If the victim is unresponsive after five cycles, you should use an automated external defibrillator.If not, follow instructions from emergency medical personnel who can give directions over the phone.The chest compressions are more important than the rescue breaths if you are untrained in cardiopulmonary rescue.As someone's life is on the line, remember that doing something is better than nothing.