Why rapid intervention is required for a choking episode

-

When someone is choking,  air (oxygen) is unable to get to the lungs! Often times,  the culprit is food. Yes food getting into the wrong pipe.

Foods and other objects can partially block the trachea (mild choking) or completely block the trachea (severe choking)

In adults choking is commonly caused by foods. In infants and children,  it could be foods (especially nuts, popcorn, pieces of sausages etc.), parts of toys, or small toys,  beads, buttons,  button batteries, pebbles etc.

Choking is said to be amongst the leading cause of accidental deaths,  ranks around number 4.

So imagine not getting air for a period 😱, death is almost certain.  The brain loves oxygen, it keeps it going
No oxygen for 0-4 mins= brain damage may not occur 
No oxygen for 4-6 mins=possibility of brain damage 
No oxygen for 6-10 mins=brain damage is likely to occur 
No oxygen for over 10 mins=brain death would almost definitely occur

So time is of the essence during a choking episode. Tick tock......
Thank God for first aid interventions

Photo credit in poster @www.adam.com

#Choking 
#FirstAid
#TheFABS 
#TheFirstAidBoxShop 
#BeFABulouS

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CHILD SAFETY: OUR HOMES HAVE MORE POISONOUS SUBSTANCES THAN WE REALIZE

-
Image
Source: Max Pixel I had a friend who told me how her last child mistakenly drank Dettol liquid. She immediately went into panic mode (as you would expect of a mother). She had to ensure her child drank some palm oil to neutralize any possible effect(African first aid,lol). But what is the best way to handle such unexpected events. You first have to understand that children knowledgeable enough to distinguish between what is actually healthy and harmful. They copy what adults do yet not knowing the reason we do them or where to draw the line when taking seemingly risky acts. Remember the scene in Home Alone 1, where Macaulay Culkin's character (Kelvin) used his father's shaving cream. He screamed because of the sensation he felt. He (Kelvin) didn't understand that the actual use of the shaving foam. He just wanted to behave like his dad. Without proper supervision, a  child can pick up any liquid and ingest it. What poisons are in our homes that can be harmful t
Read more

THE TICKING TIME BOMB; HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE HEALTH RISKS OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCIES?

-
Image
Blood transfusion is usually required to save women with ruptured ectopic pregnancy from shock due to massive internal bleeding. Courtesy wikimedia commons. An ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy in which a fertilized egg also known as the  embryo , attaches itself into any other parts of the female genital tract or the abdomen other than the  endometrium  or the inner  lining of the  uterus. While they can be divided into various types, based on location of the ectopic pregnancy in the female genital tract, see  DEFINITION AND TYPES OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCIES ,  they can also be divided based on presentation at the hospital into ruptured, non ruptured and slow leaking ectopic pregnancies.  Most of the complications of ectopic pregnancies are seen following an unsuspected ruptured ectopic pregnancy.  A ruptured ectopic pregnancy refers to  an ectopic pregnancy that has outstretched its confining structures resulting in a significant tear followed by sudden and massive bleedin
Read more

GIRL RESUSCITATES HER BROTHER BY PERFORMING CPR (VIDEO)

-
Image
Source: Linda Ikeji's Blog Finally, I found the video of the girl who was videoed performing CPR (Obviously this was her first time performing CPR) on her brother who had collapsed. With her mom and possibly her mom’s friend guiding her on what to do over the phone on CPR procedure. This must have been one of the most terrifying and stressful assignment for her to perform. However,it was a life and death issue. Words cannot describe how she felt doing it or was able to perform this, but she did and saved the day,an avoidable death was prevented. #AFABulouSSister! She performed the hands only procedure, although she did not exactly get it done as recommended, but the outcome was good. Check CPR procedures on my blog. Be equipped with the skill and the kit! You never know when a loved one or a stranger would collapse in your presence, it could end up been a disaster if you don't know what to do. But undergoing a first aid training and practice with a professional
Read more