How to Deal with Choking Whilst Having a Picnic

We have already praised the arrival of the sun and the ability to get outdoors in our recent blog, How to Deal with an Insect Sting While Enjoying the Sun. One of the ways many people are choosing to enjoy this newfound freedom is, of course, the good old-fashioned picnic. This is particularly attractive since group sizes in pubs and restaurants are limited.

It’s important to know what to do to keep everyone safe while eating far from anywhere though, especially when someone starts choking.

First aid for choking

If someone starts coughing, struggling to breathe and becoming distressed while eating, they may be choking.

If you think they are, ask “Are you choking?”. This sounds foolish, but it is important to be certain as quickly as possible, as the treatment for severe choking can be painful and risky for those who are not in trouble. It’s possible to misidentify coughs, allergic reactions, asthma attacks and fits as choking, so again, be sure.

Mild choke victims are those that can still breathe, speak and cry out, even if only softly. If you are sure the victim can still breathe, encourage them to keep coughing hard to clear the blockage or to try spitting out the object.

If the situation is serious, the person will not be able to speak but may nod or point in answer to your question. If the person cannot or does not do this, repeat the question loudly and then try to ascertain for yourself if the person is choking. Further symptoms include colouring of the face, increasing distress, softening of the cough and other breathing noises and eventually, loss of consciousness.

Ideally, the first aider must act before consciousness is lost, so make a quick decision.

Treatment for choking

Again, if you are sure the victim can still breathe, encourage them to keep coughing hard to clear the blockage or to try spitting out the object. If this does not work, start back blows as below

If the victim cannot breathe and the situation is serious, act fast to administer sharp blows to their back:

1. Stand behind them and lean them forward while supporting their chest with one hand.
2. With the heel of your other hand, deliver 5 sharp blows between the victim’s shoulder blades, pausing for a moment between each.
3. Check if the blockage is cleared. If not, begin abdominal thrusts

Abdominal thrusts – Formerly the Heimlich manoeuvre

1. Standing behind the person who is choking, place your arms around their waist and bend them forward.
2. Clench one of your fists directly above their belly button with the other hand on top of it and pull both hands sharply inwards and upwards toward your own ribs.
3. Repeat this movement up to 5 times until the blockage is clear.
4. If the person’s airway is still blocked after 5back blows and abdominal thrusts, call the ambulance.
5. Continue to deliver cycles of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until help arrives.

Now you know, you can relax and enjoy your meal

This may be serious stuff, but with all of it clear in your head, you can relax and enjoy your picnics safely in the knowledge that you can do what is needed if the worst happens. Bon Apetit!