Choking can be a life-threatening issue if not handled in the proper manner. Sonder is here to help assist you if an ad is choking and you’re not sure what to do. Here’s a guide on what to look out for and what you need to do.
Please note that if a child starts choking and becomes blue, limp, or unconscious, immediately call for an ambulance (000 in Australia, 111 in New Zealand) and stay on the phone, and then administer first aid.
Sonder’s team of trained nurses and medical professionals are always available to help you whenever you need advice on what to do. Just start a chat or give us a call via the home screen of the Sonder app - we’ll be with you in seconds.
Signs and symptoms
Clutching the throat
Coughing, wheezing, gagging
Difficulty in breathing, speaking or swallowing
Making a whistling or ‘crowing’ noise, or no sound at all
Blue lips, face, earlobes, fingernails
Loss of consciousness
What to do
Encourage the patient to relax. Ask the patient to cough to remove the object.
If coughing does not remove the blockage, call for an ambulance (000 in Australia, 111 in New Zealand).
Bend the patient well forward and give up to 5 sharp blows on the back between the shoulder blades with the heel of one hand.
Check if the blockage has been removed after each blow.
If the blockage has not cleared after 5 back blows, give up to 5 chest thrusts.
Give chest thrusts by placing one hand in the middle of the patient’s back for support and the heel of the other on the lower half of the sternum. Thrusts should be slower and sharper than CPR compressions.
Check if the blockage has been removed after each thrust.
If the blockage has not cleared after 5 thrusts, continue alternating 5 back blows with 5 chest thrusts until medical aid arrives.
If you have any questions or need extra support, we're here to help you anytime in any language. Simply start a chat with us via the home screen of the Sonder app.
Information sourced from: St John Ambulance Australia.
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All content in Sonder's Help Centre is created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.