Health and safetyMore first aid

Choking

Choking occurs when a person is unable to breathe due to an obstruction in their throat causing a lack of air.

To treat choking in adults:

• Encourage the person to cough to help remove the obstruction
• If unsuccessful, support the upper body and get them to lean forward
• Using the heel of your hand give five sharp back blows between their shoulder blades
• Check to see if the object has been dislodged
• If the object is still obstructing the airways, give up to five abdominal thrusts
• If they’re still choking, call for medical help and continue to offer first aid
• If they become unresponsive, open their airway and check their breathing
• If they stop breathing, start chest compressions and rescue breaths (CPR)

Unconsciousness

When someone is unconscious they are unable to respond and appear to be sleeping. The length of time that a person is unconscious depends on the cause.

To treat someone who is unconscious:

• Open the person’s airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin
• Check their breathing
• Place the casualty in the recovery position
• If you suspect a spinal injury, keep the neck as still as possible
• As soon as the person is in the recovery position, call for help if they have not regained consciousness after 3 minutes
• If they stop breathing begin CPR

If the person is not breathing:

• Open the airways and check their breathing
• Call for medical assistance and begin CPR
• Give the person chest compressions and a rescue breath until help arrives

Anaphylaxis

This is a life-threatening reaction to an allergy that can develop rapidly. People with severe allergic reactions will carry an epinephrine auto-injector (such as an EpiPen).

Signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shock include increased breathing difficulties, a feeling of anxiety and fear, rapid heartbeat, a sharp and sudden drop blood pressure and unconsciousness.

To treat Anaphylaxis:

• Call for emergency help immediately by dialing 999
• Ask the causality for their auto-injector and help them to use it
• Make them as comfortable as possible, asking them to lean forward to aid their breathing
• Monitor the person’s level of responsiveness
• Administer the second auto-injector if the symptoms continue