Have you ever witnessed someone choking while drinking water? It’s a terrifying sight. But did you know water is one of the leading causes of accidental choking, especially among children and older people? In this article, we’ll provide you with the expert knowledge and life-saving skills needed to help someone who is choking on water. Keep reading to learn the best techniques recommended by medical professionals.
Choking on Water: What You Should Do After an Incident
- Recognizing the Signs of Choking
- Performing Back Blows for Choking Adults
- Performing Abdominal Thrusts on Choking Adults
- Water Safety Precautions
Recognizing the Signs of Choking
Being able to quickly identify when someone is choking is crucial for acting fast. Some common signs that indicate a person may be choking on water include:
- Coughing forcefully but unable to talk or breathe
- Clutching at their throat with their hands
- Turning blue or ashen in color from lack of oxygen
- Chest stuck in an inhaling position
- Unable to stand or walk due to lack of air
Pay close attention if the person starts making gasping noises or strange sounds as they try to breathe. These are danger signs that the airways are blocked. Do not delay—act immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. Seconds matter when someone begins choking.
Performing Back Blows for Choking Adults
For choking adults, the Heimlich maneuver is not always recommended, and back blows are usually the safer first choice. Here are the steps to perform back blows:
- Have the person lean forward as far as possible, supported by your arms or resting over your leg. If necessary, have them lean over a chair or couch.
- Using the heel of your hand, deliver 5 forceful blows between the person’s shoulder blades. The blows should be aimed upwards at a 30-degree angle.
- Check after each set of blows to see if the object dislodged. If not, continue delivering blows until it does, or the person loses consciousness.
Be sure to position yourself behind the person so you can use your body weight to deliver effective blows. Focus the force of each blow onto a small, targeted area between the shoulder blades. Do not perform abdominal thrusts on pregnant women or young children. Back blows are safer for them.
Performing Abdominal Thrusts on Choking Adults
If back blows alone fail to dislodge the object, the next method recommended is abdominal thrusts (also known as the Heimlich maneuver). Here’s how to perform this life-saving technique:
- Stand or kneel behind the choking person. Wrap your arms around their waist, making a fist with one hand.
- Grasp the fist with your other hand and position it slightly above the person’s belly button and well under the rib cage.
- Pull sharply inward and upward 5 times with quick thrusts.
- Check after each set of thrusts to see if the object became dislodged. If not, repeat the abdominal thrusts until it does.
When performing thrusts, apply full body weight using short, sharp inward motions. Do not squeeze or bear hug the person—focus only on the area slightly above the belly button. As with back blows, call for emergency help immediately if the obstruction fails to fully clear after 5 minutes of attempts. Time is critical during a water choking emergency.
Water Safety Precautions
While emergencies can happen anytime, there are a few water safety precautions we can take to help prevent accidental choking:
- Never allow young children to eat or drink unsupervised around water
- Don’t run or engage in horseplay near pools, lakes, or the ocean
- Wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets while boating
- Close pools securely with fencing and locked gates when not in use
- Learn infant and child CPR—choking can occur at any age
- Check pools, tubs, and toys for small objects before use
Being extra careful around water helps reduce risks. Choosing larger water toys and containers with handles may also help kids and seniors avoid accidental mouthfuls. Speaking up politely if others violate safety rules can avert tragedy, too. Prevention is key when lives depend on it.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
So you’ve successfully cleared the airway obstruction—now what? It’s still important to watch the person closely and get medical help in these scenarios:
- If the choking episode lasted over 1 minute without air
- The person lost consciousness at any point
- They have trouble breathing, coughing, or speaking after
- You see any signs of injury to the chest, throat, or stomach after thrusts/blows
- The person is pregnant, very young or old, or has pre-existing medical conditions
Even if the airway seems clear, a lack of oxygen during choking emergencies can still cause damage. Seek emergency care right away so the patient can be monitored and treated promptly if needed. Playing it safe is always the best bet after a life-threatening choking situation.
FAQs About What to Do When Someone Chokes on Water
Here are some frequently asked questions about water choking emergencies:
1. Should I perform back blows or abdominal thrusts first?
For conscious adults, start with back blows. Only use abdominal thrusts if blows alone don’t work after 5 attempts.
2. At what age should I use back blows vs. abdominal thrusts?
For children 1 year and older, use back blows. For infants under 1, perform 5 chest thrusts followed by 5 back blows.
3. How long should I continue rescue attempts before calling for help?
If the obstruction doesn’t clear after 5 sets of blows/thrusts, call emergency services right away. Every second counts during a choking emergency.
4. Can CPR help if someone loses consciousness from choking?
Yes, start CPR immediately if the person becomes unresponsive. 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths may help keep oxygen flowing to the brain until EMS arrives.
5. How do I know if it’s safe to give food/drink again after choking?
Always seek medical evaluation after a choking incident before resuming eating/drinking. Lingering throat injuries aren’t always obvious and could lead to another episode.
We hope this comprehensive guide on recognizing and responding to a water choking emergency has boosted your confidence in your ability to react quickly and effectively if you ever see someone choking on water. Please share this life-saving information with your loved ones as well. With awareness and proper first aid training, you can help prevent accidental choking from becoming a tragic outcome.