Few parents are aware of the consequences that seemingly trivial choking or choking can have on a child's he alth and life. Check how to protect your child from such a dangerous accident.

Chokingorchokingcan happen anytime, anywhere. It happens when an object (for example, an inaccurately chewed piece of food) finds itself in the larynx, trachea or bronchi instead of the esophagus, blocking the flow of air and seriously obstructingbreathing.Obstruction of the airway by a foreign body contained in them can lead to severe brain hypoxia, which often ends in a coma, and in extreme cases, immediate death.

Children are more at risk of choking hazards

Children are particularly exposed to the most serious consequences of choking. This happens for many reasons, both anatomical and psychological. A child who is curious about the world takes to his mouth almost every object within his reach - a toy, a coin, a button or a bead. This is his way of getting to know the world. Meanwhile, the trachea of ​​a one-year-old child is an organ of 7 millimeters in diameter. If even a small foreign body gets into it, there is a high probability of choking the baby. In addition, the respiratory tract of young children is very sensitive and, if irritated by a foreign body, they may contract, preventing the air flow.

The most effective weapon against choking is prophylaxis:

  • not giving food that the child will not be able to chew
  • not giving pills to young children
  • eliminating small objects from the immediate vicinity of the child
  • buying toys without dangerous small parts etc.

First aid in the event of choking

Usually, the first reaction of a parent or witness of choking or choking is panic, resulting from the inability to deal with a critical situation to provide first aid. The iron rule of first aid in the event of choking is to remain calm and call an ambulance as soon as possible (tel. 999 or 112 from a cell phone). Before professional help arrives, you shouldcarefully check that the foreign body in the respiratory tract is not visible in the child's mouth and that it cannot be gently removed with the help of the little finger. by doctors. The procedure scheme is different in the case of a one-year-old child and an older child, and different in the case of rescuing an infant. It is worth getting to know both of them in order not to remain helpless in a choking situation.

educational campaign "First aid in case of choking"

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