new_otters_raftFeb 22

YSK What to do if someone’s choking: Evidence says begin with back blows

https://piefed.ca/c/youshouldknow/p/542800/ysk-what-to-do-if-someones-choking-evidence-says-begin-with-back-blows

YSK What to do if someone’s choking: Evidence says begin with back blows

Why YSK: > Despite choking being an emergency, until recently there has been limited high-quality evidence to guide bystanders on the most eff…

Show threadkboos1
Interesting because all of my first aid instructions say not to slap people on the back. Why should I believe this over instructors and doctors?
Feb 23 at 1:59amWeb
Show threadCatoblepasFeb 23
The sources for this are also instructors and doctors, OP listed them. It sounds like this is new research and best prescribes may be in the process of changing if further research bears these findings out.
Show threadNannerBannerFeb 23
You can read the wikipedia about the abdominal thrusts that another comment linked. There’s a line in there about heimlich not being ‘scientific’ in his pushing of the abdominal thrusts and denigration of back blows.
Show threadscutigerFeb 23
I recently took a first air course. I was told abdominal thrusts were the first course of action. If the person is obese and you can’t get your arms around them, you should try back blows first. You have the person bend over and give them hard palm strikes in the back, not slaps. If you still can’t get the obstruction out, the last option is chest compressions, but that’s likely to break ribs in the process.
Show threadthespcicifcoceanFeb 23
Chest compressions is for when the heart stops, and actually won’t do anything for choking. Abdominal compressions, where you put pressure on the diaphragm (not the ribs) is for choking. Also, if you do chest compressions for a stopped heart, you’re going to break a few ribs. Unless you’re doing in wrong.
Show threadscutigerFeb 23
Chest compressions force air out of the lungs pretty violently. If there’s a blockage in the oesophagus, and you can’t perform abdominal thrusts (due to obesity for example), chest compressions are an acceptable alternative.
Show threadPup BiruFeb 23
because the article says this is the first actual study that’s been done… doctors and first aid instructions go by the best information they have, and prior to this their information is little better than a hunch