Being familiar with what to do if you’re choking and alone is critical, considering the speed with which this situation can turn dangerous.
The reality is, you might not always have someone around to assist you when choking occurs. That’s why it’s imperative to learn how to act quickly and effectively when you’re alone and in distress.
Here, we’ll provide a brief overview of the steps to take when you’re choking and alone. We’ll delve into recognizing the signs of choking, steps to encourage coughing if the airway isn’t completely blocked, and how to perform the self-Heimlich maneuver.
Understanding Choking
Before diving into the response strategies, let’s take a closer look at choking:
How Does Choking Happen?
Your airway is a tube that carries air in and out of your lungs. When you swallow, a small flap of tissue called the epiglottis closes off the top of your windpipe to ensure that food and liquids go into your stomach and not your lungs. Choking happens when this mechanism fails, and a foreign object obstructs your airway, either partially or completely.
Signs of Choking
Recognizing the signs of choking is the first step to dealing with the situation. Signs include:
- Inability to speak, cough, or breathe
- High-pitched squeaking noises
- Flushed (red) skin that becomes bluish or paler than normal
- A look of panic and wide eyes
- One or both hands on the throat
If left untreated, choking can lead to unconsciousness and death. Learn how to help someone who is choking through this demonstration.
What to Do if You’re Choking and Alone
If you ever find yourself choking and alone, there are some steps you can take that may help resolve the situation.
Call 911
If you’re choking, chances are you won’t be able to speak. However, you should still call 911, as the operator can trace your call and send help if it is from a landline. Dial 911, when someone answers bang the phone a couple times on the counter, and leave it off the hook.
Go outside (but only a few feet from the address you called from)! Someone may be able to help you. And if you pass out, you are more likely to be found and helped quickly.
Encourage Coughing if the Airway is Not Completely Blocked
The first thing to try is coughing. If your airway is only partially blocked, a strong, forceful cough could dislodge the object.
Self-Heimlich Maneuver (now called ‘J Thrust)
The J-thrust (formerly Heimlich maneuver) is a procedure typically administered by someone else to help dislodge an object from the throat of a person who’s choking. However, it can also be performed on oneself — in which case, it’s known as the Self-Heimlich maneuver.
Step-by-step Guide to Performing the Self-Heimlich Maneuver
- Make a fist with one hand. Place your thumb side against your abdomen, below your ribcage and above your navel.
- Grasp your fist with your other hand.
- Press your fist into your abdomen with a quick, upward motion. You could also add extra force by leaning over a hard surface, such as a countertop or railing (if you’ve gone outside, bring a chair with you to use)
- Repeat these thrusts until the object is expelled from your airway.
Choking Prevention Tips
While it’s vital to know what to do if you’re choking and alone, the best course of action is, of course, to prevent choking in the first place.
Here are some reminders:
- Proper Chewing: Make sure to chew your food thoroughly before swallowing.
- Avoid Talking or Laughing While Eating: Doing so can increase the chance of inhaling food into your windpipe.
- Avoid Rushed Eating: Eating too quickly significantly increases your risk of choking.
- Be Careful with Certain Foods: Some foods are notorious for causing choking, like hard candies, whole grapes, popcorn, and nuts.
The importance of learning what to do if you’re choking and alone cannot be overstated. Just as you’d prepare for a fire or earthquake, it’s crucial to be ready for a choking event – especially when you’re alone.
It’s important to practice with these steps so you know exactly what to do if you’re choking and alone. Register for our Standard First Aid Course now.
