Definition of Choking - unconscious adult or child over 1 year:

Choking is when someone cannot breathe because food, a toy, or other object is blocking the throat or windpipe (airway).

Considerations:

A choking person's airway may be completely or partially blocked so that not enough oxygen reaches the lungs. A complete blockage is a medical emergency. A partial blockage can quickly become life threatening if the person cannot properly breathe.

Without oxygen, permanent brain damage can occur in as little as 4 - 6 minutes. Rapid first aid for choking can save a life.

Occasionally an object will enter the lung. While the person may appear to improve and breathe normally, in a few days symptoms may develop, such as:

• Persistent cough
• Pneumonia
• Wheezing

If this happens, get medical help right away.

Causes:

• Eating too fast, failing to chew food well enough, or eating with poorly fitting dentures
• Drinking alcohol (even a small amount of alcohol affects awareness)
• Being unconscious (a person may breathe in vomited material)
• Breathing in or swallowing small objects (young children)
• Having trauma to the head and face (swelling, bleeding, or deformity can cause choking)