What if you are too late?…. What if you panic and freeze? Knowledge is power! Choking is often SILENT and can be deadly. Choking can occur at any age. It could be from older siblings putting things in an infant’s mouth; toddlers love to put things in their mouths – game pieces, chunks of food too firm or large for them to handle (grapes, carrots, hot dogs); preschoolers and early elementary age experiment with different foods/items; kids love to move – running, playing, laughing while eating – all these activities impose the risk of taking a breath at the wrong time, and food becoming lodged; adults are often crunched for time and try to take large bites and chew incompletely; older adults can have decreased muscle coordination contributing to increased risk of choking. The first step in saving a life is to recognize what choking is. Early signs: coughing/ wheezing; panicked eyes; soft or high-pitched noises. Late Signs: drool; inability to speak or make sounds; skin color changes (cyanosis). When you notice these signs – take action immediately to get them help! FAMC offers CPR and First Aid classes throughout the year that cover how to help with choking, or you could go to the American Heart Association or American Red Course for on-demand online course options. You are never too young or old to learn how to help.
Shanda Spilde, FAMC Nurse Educator