A piece of meat goes wrong, a bite swallowed too quickly, and suddenly you can\u2019t breathe. If someone is nearby, they can help. But what do you do when you\u2019re alone at home, unable to speak, cough, or call for help? It\u2019s precisely this question that an American firefighter-paramedic decided to answer, with a method born\u2026 in a boxing ring.<\/p>\n
A resuscitation instructor confronted with a gap in protocols
\nThe man demonstrating this technique is named Raymond. A firefighter and paramedic north of Denver, Colorado, he has been teaching first aid and CPR for twenty-two years. Over the years, he has noticed a gap: there is no truly effective way to rescue oneself when choking and no one is there to help.<\/p>\n
He therefore developed a technique that, according to him, works quite well. Its origin is unexpected: it dates back to the 1980s, when he practiced boxing. His coach had him repeat this exercise to strengthen and toughen his abdominal muscles. Decades later, he felt it could be used for a much more practical purpose and adapted it to his work as a first responder.<\/p>\n
The maneuver explained step by step
\nThe principle relies on the force of the impact of the torso on the ground, which violently expels air from the lungs upwards. Here\u2019s how to do it, as Raymond demonstrates:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Get on your knees. The situation is desperate: you can no longer breathe, you must act quickly.
\nPosition yourself in a push-up position, with your hands (or fists) on the ground. Raymond explains that he is supporting himself on his fists due to an old boxing injury in his right hand.
\nThen let your arms swing completely forward, towards the top of your body, so that they are completely removed from under you.
\nYou then let yourself fall, landing on your chest and stomach.
\nThe sound produced by the expulsion of air during the demonstration is revealing: the amount of air propelled upwards is clearly audible. According to Raymond, this force is sufficient to dislodge almost any foreign object from a person whose airways are obstructed.<\/p>\n
He adds two honest reservations: this technique is probably not suitable for a pregnant woman, and no method is 100% effective. But in his opinion, it\u2019s far better than what we\u2019ve been taught so far for this specific situation. A video that could very well save your life.<\/p>\n
What if someone else is choking?
\nA foreign object lodged at the back of the throat can block the airway or cause a muscle spasm. Young children are particularly at risk: they choke on food, but also on small objects they put in their mouths.ENT<\/p>\n
Two situations stand out:<\/p>\n
Minor obstruction : the victim is still able to speak, cry, cough, or breathe. They should be able to clear the obstruction themselves.
\nSevere obstruction : the victim is unable to speak, cry, cough, or breathe. Without help, they will eventually lose consciousness.
\nAdult or child
\nThe objective is twofold: to remove the obstruction and, if necessary, to arrange urgent transport to the hospital.<\/p>\n
If the obstruction is slight:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Encourage the person to continue coughing.
\nRemove any visible foreign objects from the mouth.
\nIf the obstruction is severe:<\/p>\n
Give up to five slaps between the shoulder blades.
\nCheck the mouth and remove any visible foreign objects.
\nIf the blockage persists:<\/p>\n
Perform up to five abdominal compressions.
\nCheck the mouth again and remove any visible foreign objects.
\nIf nothing happens after three full cycles of back blows and abdominal compressions, immediately call emergency services (15 or 112 in France, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US) and continue the maneuvers until help arrives.Health<\/p>\n
Here again, the goal is to clear the airway and arrange urgent transport to the hospital if necessary. If the baby is in distress, unable to cry, cough, or breathe:Emergency services<\/p>\n
Lay him face down against your forearm, head downwards, supporting his back and head well.
\nGive up to five slaps on the back with the heel of your hand.
\nCheck its mouth and remove any visible foreign objects.
\nNever perform blind sweeping with your finger in your mouth.
\nIf the obstruction is still present:<\/p>\n
Turn the infant onto their back and perform up to five chest compressions.
\nUsing two fingers, push inwards and upwards (towards the head), on the sternum, one finger\u2019s width below the nipple line.
\nThe goal is to clear the passage as soon as possible, without necessarily going as far as five compressions.
\nCheck your mouth after each set.
\nIf the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and chest compressions, call an ambulance and continue until help arrives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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