How to Recognize that Someone is Choking

Taking online certification courses can help you learn first aid online and learn CPR online. These certification programs were designed to help individuals save lives in real life emergency situations. Knowing what to do and what not to do can help improve recovery times and prevent loss of life. The Heimlich Maneuver, or abdominal thrusts, are just one of the many things you will learn when taking online CPR or first aid courses. The Heimlich Maneuver is commonly used if someone is choking to help clear the obstruction.  Here are some signs that can help you recognize if someone is choking:

The universal sign of distress is commonly used around the world by anyone who is choking. Clutching your throat with one or both hands with wide eyes full of fear and panic is understood as a need for help due to an obstruction. Not being able to breath is obvious that someone may be choking.  Other symptoms of choking that may be less obvious are gagging, coughing, wheezing, watery eyes, reddish complexion on face, or showing panicked behaviors. If the victim is choking but able to breath, coughing will be the most productive way to remove the obstruction. The victim will need to cough until the blockage is clear. The Heimlich Maneuver can also be performed to remove a blockage. If the victim is not breathing, chest compressions can be done. It is not recommended that you hit a choking person on the back to help.  It could actually have the reverse affect. If the victim is upright and they receive a hit or slap across the back, the obstruction could slip further down the trachea making the situation much worse. Back blows can only be down if the victim is leaning forward.

Online pediatric first aid course programs can teach you how to apply the same methods with modifications and adjustments made for infants and children. Learning to recognize if someone is choking can help you act quickly and effectively to save them. Anyone can obtain BLS (basic life support) certification online from the comforts of their own home. Online CPR and first aid certification renewal are available to all education levels and backgrounds. Save a life with online CPR and first aid certification.

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What is the Heimlich Maneuver?