Emergency Assessment and Recognition
Signs of Choking in Infants
- Infant cannot cry, cough, or breathe effectively due to complete airway obstruction
- Universal choking sign - hands clutching at throat, though infants may not demonstrate this
- Cyanosis around lips and face, indicating inadequate oxygenation
- Weak, ineffective cough or inability to make sounds
Critical Alert: If infant can cry or cough forcefully, do NOT intervene - encourage continued coughing to clear obstruction naturally
Emergency Intervention Procedure
Back Blows and Chest Thrusts Technique
- Position infant face-down on your forearm, supporting head and neck with your hand
- Keep infant's head lower than chest to utilize gravity assistance
- Deliver 5 sharp back blows between shoulder blades using heel of hand
- Turn infant face-up, supporting head and neck throughout the turn
- Place 2-3 fingers on lower half of breastbone, just below nipple line
- Give 5 quick chest thrusts, compressing 1/3 depth of chest
- Continue alternating 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until object is expelled or infant becomes unconscious
Never perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) on infants under 1 year - risk of internal organ damage
Memory Aid: "5-5 Rule"
Remember: 5 back blows, flip, 5 chest thrusts - keep alternating until successful
Commonly Confused Points
| Infant (Under 1 year) |
Child (Over 1 year) |
| Back blows + Chest thrusts |
Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) |
| Support on forearm |
Stand behind child |
| Never abdominal thrusts |
Abdominal thrusts appropriate |
Study Tip
"Under 1, Under Arm" - Infants under 1 year are supported under your arm for back blows