Back when I was in Boy Scouts, we learned how to do abdominal thrusts, and how to do it to yourself. You make the same hand shape (IIRC, one hand clasped over the other with your thumb knuckles forming a triangle into the abdomin), and place your hand in the back of a chair (assuming you’re near a chair, which is likely). You then press yourself into it.
Comment on YSK What to do if someone’s choking: Evidence says begin with back blows
porcoesphino@mander.xyz 16 hours ago
The more eyes the better and this seems to be the recommendation:
If the person goes quiet, cannot speak or cry, or can only weakly cough, you want to start with five strong back blows first. With the person bent forward at their hips, deliver firm glancing blows between their shoulder blades using the heel of your hand up to five times.
If the obstruction does not clear, switch to abdominal thrusts. Continue alternating five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until the obstruction is cleared or the person becomes unconscious.
I’m still looking for what to do if I’m alone and something happens.
The article also uses the text “In the updated guidelines, our Canadian study was cited to inform this critical change, and was the only study directly comparing different choking techniques.” to link here:
cpr.heart.org/en/…/adult-basic-life-support
But I see no mention of any of these directions there. If someone does, let me know where I’m scanning over.
Cethin@lemmy.zip 13 hours ago
Doom@lemmy.world 15 hours ago
If you’re alone. Call 911 (or your regions equivalent) and wait outside for emergency services. Keep trying to cough while you wait. If you see anyone flag them down but don’t go searching for people. I know you’re looking for a self heimlich but your safest bet is to keep trying to cough and to wait for emergency services or for other help to come along. Getting the thrust you need to clear your airway, especially while starved for oxygen, is not guaranteed. So if you ever find yourself in that situation call for help. If you start choking and you’re a healthy adult you’ll have 3 to 5 minutes of consciousness. Use it wisely.
thespcicifcocean@lemmy.world 13 hours ago
I had to wait 45 minutes for an ambulance when I thought I was about to die. You’ll fall unconscious within 5 minutes. Die within the next 5. Even if you manage to make the call, they won’t know what the hell is wrong with you because you can’t talk. Learning to save yourself in that situation is extremely important, because actual first responders won’t make it there on time.
porcoesphino@mander.xyz 11 hours ago
The only times I’ve been a bit worried have been eating chicken that I could get down with water so not really the same thing but sometimes I’ve it’s gotten difficult enough I’ve wondered if I’ll need a bit of help, but that’s not really choking or close to blackout. Unfortunately the times I remember I’ve been alone, in an apartment building 10+ floors up in a foreign country. Agreed the safest bet is others but based on those situations I think there are times where it’s tough to guarantee another person will see you and I was aiming to learn what my last resort should be.
Fondots@lemmy.world 16 hours ago
I’m still looking for what to do if I’m alone and something happens.
You can do abdominal thrusts on yourself, or you can use something like the back of a chair or a railing to rest your fists on and use your body weight to basically perform the same action
Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
It’s something I’ve thought about a bunch and the strategy I’ve come up with is:
If your breath is blocked, hold your breath at first and stay calm. Trying to breathe in could wedge it farther in. And trying to breathe out will likely move it, but gravity might just drop it back where it was only with less air in your lungs, which you need to help dislodge the obstruction. Panicking will make you more likely to waste your chance at getting it without needing to fall on something and potentially break ribs (or fail and die). You’ll probably have to suppress your cough reflex. I’ve never done this before and have no idea how much conscious control one would have in that moment and I’m also someone who trained myself to be able to suppress coughs (to avoid embarrasing bong hits lol).
Lean forward, the farther the better, to the point where loose food in your throat will just fall out your mouth. Then cough, if you make it also a growl, you can add more force, as you don’t want to half-ass this. Your air might still be limited.
You should be able to feel if you’re making any progress. If you are, keep at it, if not, switch to the “fall on something to knock the wind out of you” strategy, still keeping your mouth angled down and add a cough as it impacts.
If that fails, make a big ruckus. I’ve told my daughter that if she starts choking and can’t speak to get my attention, knock dishes onto the floor to get my attention. If you’re completely alone in your home, throw a pot out your window before running out your front door. Try to be efficient with your time and energy. Dial 911 and hope they send someone and don’t assume a prank call or a kid when no one responds.
Iconoclast@feddit.uk 13 hours ago
How to unchoke yourself if you’re dying alone.
porcoesphino@mander.xyz 10 hours ago
This video is surprisingly good and covers: