Causes of Choking
Obstruction of the airway can be caused by
§ Food
§ Swallowing foreign objects
§ Laughing or crying while eating or drinking
§ Running while eating or drinking
§ Swallowing food when not chewed enough
§ Breathing in while eating or drinking
§ Swallowing bone splinters Signs may include
* Coughing
* Difficulties in breathing
* Face, neck, lips, ears, fingernails turning blue
* Clutching the throat
* Unconscious and not breathing
Treatment of a partial obstruction
Follow the Basic First Aid Plan to assess the casualty
ü Encourage the casualty to relax and take deep breaths
ü Encourage the casualty to try and cough up the obstruction
ü Bend the casualty forward at the waist, to assist with dislodging the obstruction
ü Call an Ambulance immediately if the obstruction is not expelled
DO NOT:
Attempt to dislodge the obstruction with your fingers as this could push the obstruction further down the airway
Use the Heimlich Manoeuvre as this can damage the internal organs
Treatment of a complete obstruction
Follow the Basic First Aid Plan to assess the casualty
A complete obstruction is diagnosed by a casualty not being able to breathe, speak or make any sounds.
This can also be recognised as a hand gripping around the throat.
ü Lean the casualty forward and bend them over at the waist
ü Give up to five (5) hard blows between the shoulder blades, pausing between each blow to see if the obstruction has been dislodged
ü If the airway is still blocked, give five (5) chest thrusts to the middle of the chest the same as performing chest compressions to try and expel the obstruction, checking after each thrust. This should be done against a hard surface.
ü If the casualty becomes unconscious, perform CPR and call for an Ambulance immediately
Treatment of an obstruction in an infant or child
Follow the Basic First Aid Plan to assess the casualty
ü A child can be positioned over your knee while you are in the sitting position. This will allow gravity to assist in expelling the object
ü With the child on your knees, supporting its neck and head, give up to five (5) slaps between their shoulder blades, checking between each back slap to see if the obstruction has been expelled.
ü If the airway is still blocked, give up to five (5) chest thrusts to the middle of the chest the same as performing chest compressions but using two fingers on an infant, to try and expel the obstruction, checking after each thrust.
Do not hold an infant by their legs, as this can pull the infants legs out of the sockets
Treatment of an obstruction when alone
ü Rock forcibly backwards against a wall ensuring you do not hit your head. If this doesn’t work then place your abdomen over the back of a chair and force downwards to expel the obstruction
Asthma is a reversible breathing problem caused from sudden or progressive narrowing and spasming of the smaller airways and includes mucus production, which interferes with oxygen exchange. People who suffer from asthma have sensitive airways. When exposed to certain triggers, their airways narrow, making it hard for them to breathe.
There are two main factors that can cause the airways to become narrowed:
1. The inside of the lining of the airways becomes red, swollen and inflamed, and mucus may be produced
2. The muscles surrounding the airways constrict
Why do asthmatics get asthma in the first place?
Asthma cannot be cured but it can be managed. Good asthma management can lead to a productive lifestyle. The causes of asthma are not fully understood, but there can be a family history of hay fever, asthma, or eczema. Asthma can appear at any age and can affect all walks of life.
Triggers of an Asthma attack
- Colds and flu Exercise –
(can be managed) Pollens, mould and grasses
Animal hair and dander Dust Mites Cigarette Smoke
Changes in temperature Alcohol or some soft drinks Certain Drugs
Chemicals, perfume scents Some preservatives Some Occupational hazards
Stress or emotional pressure · Some foods
Asthma symptoms vary from person to person. Some sufferers may present with all the symptoms, while others may only have the wheeze or the cough.
Signs and Symptoms may include:
- Moderate to severe breathing difficulties
- Shortness of breath – fast shallow breathing
- Wheezing – a high pitched sound when exhaling
- Tight chest – the chest wall is not expanding normally
- Coughing – usually occurs at night or in cold conditions
- Paleness, sweaty, blueness of lips, fingertips, or earlobes
- Quiet and subdued
- Possibly unconscious
Treatment
Administer the 4x4x4 Asthma Management Plan
ü Make casualty comfortable in a sitting position to help assist chest movement. NEVER LAY A CASUALTY DOWN WHO IS HAVING AN ATTACK
ü Encourage controlled slowed breathing
ü Take 4 puffs as described below, of reliever medication. If needed assist casualty to take his or her own medication.
ü Wait 4 minutes, if no improvement, have another 4 puffs.
ü If no improvement call for an ambulance immediately.
ü While waiting for the ambulance have 4 puffs of reliever medication every 4 minutes until the ambulance arrives.
ü Children can deteriorate rapidly – beware of the ASTHMATIC CHILD
ü If an asthmatic is not able to talk, they are in a life-
ü Asthma attacks can be frightening. Reassure the casualty
Using a spacer Without a spacer
Shake inhaler and place the mouthpiece into the spacer. Place spacer mouthpiece into victim’s mouth, administer 1 puff into the spacer and ask the victim to breathe in and out normally for 4 breaths. Repeat this promptly until 4 puffs have been given. Shake inhaler. Place mouth piece in the victim’s mouth and administer 1 puff as the victim inhales slowly and steadily. Ask the victim to hold their breath for 4 seconds and then take 4 normal breaths. Repeat until 4 puffs have been given.
For more information on Asthma, and Asthma management please contact:
Asthma NSW on www.asthmansw.org.au 02 99063233
OR
Asthma Australia on www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
03 96967861
PREVENTION is the best treatment include:
ü Learn how to swim
ü Know boating and swimming pool safety rules
ü Know basic life saving rescue and CPR
Signs and Symptoms may
No breathing
Possibly no pulse
Blue face and lips
Possibly a fine foamy froth from the mouth and nose
Treatment
Follow the Basic First Aid Plan to assess the casualty
Never become a casualty yourself – never attempt a rescue beyond your capabilities
Consider using a floatation device for the casualty to cling to. This may calm them down and stop them from panicking and injuring or drowning the rescuer
ü Begin mouth to nose rescue breaths in the water if possible, while wading to shore. If in deep water use a flotation aid. DO NOT attempt rescue breaths if there is danger to yourself
ü Once ashore – check and clear the airway
ü Re-
ü Commence CPR
ü Seek medical aid immediately
ü Once breathing commences, place the casualty onto their side. Keep warm and continually monitor observations until medical aid arrives
NOTE: Even if the casualty is resuscitated successfully, they still need to seek medical aid
This condition is when the rate and depth of breathing are greater than required to maintain normal levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.
Causes Stress-
Signs and Symptoms may include:
Anxiousness Shortness of breath – choking
Normal skin colour Light headedness
Chest pain may be present A feeling of not getting enough air
The hand or wrist can bend backwards with contraction and twisting of fingers Tingling in the fingers, lips and / or feet
Treatment:
- Calm, assertive reassurance to the casualty
- Encourage casualty to breathe deeply through the nose and exhale through the mouth
Treatment:
ü Grasp the casualty’s legs and take the body weight
ü Free the neck of the noose or cut the noose
ü Follow the Basic First Aid Plan -
ü Seek immediate medical attention
Treatment:
ü Remove any material obstructing or constricting the throat
ü Follow the Basic First Aid Plan -
ü Seek immediate medical attention
What is Emphysema?
- Progressive chronic airways disease
- Chronic irritant caused lung condition
- Casualty can suffer from other lung conditions
Signs and symptoms may include:
· Moderate to severe breathing difficulties
· Coughing
· Blue lips Treatment:
ü Assist casualty with their medication and / or oxygen
ü Seek medical aid if there is no improvement
Anaphylaxis is a sudden and severe allergic reaction, and is caused by contact to an allergen such as food, medicines or an insect bite. Although death is rare, anaphylaxis requires emergency treatment. Anaphylaxis can be influenced by exercise, heat, and the amount of food eaten and digested.
Allergens causing an anaphylactic reaction:
Foods: peanuts and nuts, shellfish and fish, milk, yeast and eggs
Insect bites: bees, wasps, jumping jack ants, red fire ants
Medication: penicillin, aspirin, codeine, antibiotics, morphine
Latex: gloves, party balloons, swimming hats, goggles, condoms
Signs and Symptoms may include:
Mild to Moderate Reaction:
§ Swelling of lips, face, or eyes
§ Hives, welts or a rash
§ Nausea § Feeling of being unwell
§ Abdominal pain
§ Itchiness
Severe Allergic Reaction:
§ Difficulty in breathing
§ Swelling and tightness of the throat
§ Tongue may swell
§ Unconsciousness § Noisy breathing – wheeze or cough. The same as Asthma attack
§ Pale, cold, clammy skin – shock
§ Difficulty in talking
Treatment
Follow the Basic First Aid Plan to assess the casualty
ü Make an accurate diagnosis
ü Keep the airway clear and open
ü To reduce swelling apply cold compresses
ü The casualty should take their prescribed medication.
ü Call Ambulance immediately ü Loosen any tight clothing
ü Reassure the casualty
ü If casualty stops breathing, commence rescue breaths
ü Injections should only be administered by authorised trained personnel
How to administer an EpiPenâ or EpiPenâ Jr:
A casualty who has been diagnosed with suffering from Anaphylaxis, should always carry around their own medication, to be administered if required.
Step 1: Form a fist around the EpiPen and pull off the grey safety cap
Step 2: Place the black tip of the EpiPen against the fleshy part of the outer thigh. The needle will penetrate through jeans.
Step 3: Push the EpiPen hard against the leg until you hear a click. Hold the EpiPen in place for 10 seconds
Step 4: Remove the EpiPen from the thigh, being careful not to touch the needle. Discard the EpiPen safely in a sharps container.
Step 5: Massage the thigh for 10 seconds
CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE IMMEDIATELY:
Tell the operator that the casualty is having an anaphylactic reaction &
that an Epi-
More information can be found at: www.allergy.org.au
