Choking

Anything stuck in the throat blocking the air passage can stop breathing and cause unconsciousness and death within minutes.

1. Do not interfere with a choking victim who cannot speak, cough, or breathe.
   
   
2. But, if an unconscious person cannot speak, cough, or breathe perform the Heimlich maneuver:
   
   
   1. Stand behind the victim, wrap your arms around his or her middle. Just above the navel. Clasp your hands together in a doubled fist and press in and up in quick thrusts. Repeat several times. IF still unsuccessful...
      
      
   2. Make your pointer finger into a hook shape. Reach down the victim's throat in a sweeping motion, feeling for the object.
      
      
   3. Resume the Heimlich maneuver if necessary.

   Note: If the object has not been retrieved but the swallower suddenly seems all right, play it safe...take him or her directly to the hospital. This especially critical if the swallowed object is a fish bone, chicken bone, or other jagged object that could do internal damage as it passes though the victim's system.