Choking can happen anytime, whether at home, at nursery school, or even during sports activities. In such moments, how quickly the person present can react to the situation plays a crucial role. 

Yesterday, on TV Markíza's morning show Teleráno, we had the opportunity to show viewers practical first aid procedures for choking children and adults. Here is an overview of the most important tips that can help you stay calm and act effectively while rescuing a person. For more information, please see the attached link to the aforementioned program.

How to recognize choking?

• The person has difficulty breathing, cannot speak or swallow.
• Often intuitively grabs his neck
• Bruising of the lips or face may occur.
• If a person is able to cough, it is best to let them cough and encourage them to do so—it is a natural mechanism for "cleaning" the airways.

How to provide first aid for choking?

• If a person cannot speak, breathe, or cough, immediate action must be taken.
• Stand behind them and first give five strong strikes between the shoulder blades with your open palm – the Gordon´s strike.
• If this step is ineffective, while still standing behind the person, clasp your hands together (ideally with one hand in a fist) and press sharply inward and upward in the area above the navel – this is known as the Heimlich maneuver.
• Repeat until the foreign object is dislodged or help arrives. If the person loses consciousness, lay them on their back and begin CPR.

Specifics for small children and babies

• For babies, place them face down on your forearm, support their head, and give 5 strikes between the shoulder blades.
• If this does not help, turn the child onto their back and perform 5 chest compressions.
• For older children, the technique is similar to that for adults, but the pressure should be gentler.

When to call 155?

• If the affected person loses consciousness or is not breathing even after attempts to clear their airways.
• If it is a small child or a person at risk of an allergic reaction.

Video about first aid for choking: HERE