Blended First Aid courses provide Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification online together to cover a broader range of lifesaving skills that are often used together during an emergency situation. For example, would you know what to do if your friend is choking? Having completed a blended First Aid course gives you the skills and confidence you need to help a friend that might be choking.
The first thing you need to do when someone is choking is to ask permission to help them. If they say “no”, you can call 911 and remain on the phone in case their situation turns worse. If emergency help needs to be called out, the 911 operators will already have your location and necessary information needed to help save a life. If the choking victim says “yes” or nods affirmatively for help, you may immediately begin to provide them care. The first step is to call 911. Abdominal thrusts will then need to be administered. Here are the steps for performing abdominal thrusts correctly:
1. Stand behind the person.
2. Place one of your feet slightly in front of the other foot to increase your balance and stability.
3. Make a fist with one hand.
4. Place your fist right at belly button level.
5. Grab your first with your other hand.
6. Perform six to ten abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged from the throat.
Never try to place your hand down someone’s throat to remove the blockage manually. You may accidentally push the blockage down further, making it harder to dislodge. If you are unable to successfully dislodge the blockage using abdominal thrusts and your friend or victim loses consciousness, you will need to do chest compressions from your CPR training online. Do not administer breaths; you could push the blockage down further. Chest compressions only can be an effective way to help someone who is choking when abdominal thrusts are not possible. Chest compressions will keep the blood flowing to the organs, keeping your victim alive. Individuals are 50 percent more likely to recover from their emergency when CPR and First Aid have been administered. Learning proper procedures and techniques will give you the lifesaving skills you need to save someone in need.
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