PERFORM FIRST AID TO CLEAR AN OBJECT STUCK IN THE THROAT OF A CONSCIOUS CASUALTY

081-831-1003(SL1)

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CONDITIONS

You see a conscious casualty who is having a hard time breathing because something is stuck in his or her throat.

STANDARDS

Cleared the object from the casualty's throat. Gave abdominal or chest thrusts until the casualty could talk and breathe normally, the soldier was relieved by a qualified person, or the casualty became unconscious requiring mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

TRAINING AND EVALUATION

Training Information Outline

1. Determine if the casualty needs help.

a. If the casualty has good air exchange (able to speak or cough forcefully - may be wheezing between coughs), do not interfere except to encourage the casualty.

b. If the casualty has poor air exchange (weak coughing with high-pitched noise between coughs and signs of shock), continue with step 2.

c. If the casualty has a complete airway obstruction (cannot speak, breathe, or cough at all and may be clutching his or her neck and moving erratically), continue with step 2.

2. Perform abdominal or chest thrusts.

NOTE: Abdominal thrusts should be used unless the victim is in the advanced stages of pregnancy, is very obese, or has a significant abdominal wound.

a. Abdominal thrusts.

(1) Stand behind the casualty.

(2) Wrap your arms around the casualty's waist.

(3) Make a fist with one hand.

(4) Place the thumb side of the fist against the abdomen slightly above the navel and well below the tip of the breastbone.

(5) Grasp the fist with the other hand.

(6) Give quick backward and upward thrusts.

NOTE: Each thrust should be a separate, distinct movement. Thrusts should be continued until the obstruction is expelled or the casualty becomes unconscious.

b. Chest thrusts.

(1) Stand behind the casualty.

(2) Wrap your arms under the casualty's armpits and around the chest.

(3) Make a fist with one hand.

(4) Place the thumb side of the fist on the middle of the breastbone.

(5) Grasp the fist with the other hand.

(6) Give backward thrusts.

NOTE: Each thrust should be performed slowly and distinctly, and with the intent of relieving the obstruction.

3. Continue to give abdominal or chest thrusts as required. Give abdominal or chest thrusts until the obstruction is clear, you are relieved by a qualified person, or the casualty becomes unconscious.

NOTE: If the casualty becomes unconscious, perform a finger sweep and then start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation procedures.

NOTE: If the obstruction is cleared, watch the casualty closely and check for other injuries if necessary.

Evaluation Preparation

Setup: You need another soldier to play the part of the casualty.

Brief Soldier: Describe the symptoms of a casualty with good air exchange, poor air exchange, or a complete airway obstruction. Ask the soldier what should be done. Score step 1 based upon the answer. Then tell the soldier to do all of the first aid steps required to clear an object from the casualty's throat. Tell the soldier to demonstrate where to stand, how to position his or her hands, and how to position the casualty for the thrusts. The soldier must tell you how the thrusts should be done. Ensure that the soldier understands that he or she must not actually do the thrusts. Do not evaluate step 3 in the simulated mode.

Evaluation Guide

Performance Measure	Results

1. Determine if the casualty needs help.	P	F
2. Perform abdominal or chest thrusts as required.	P	F
3. Continue abdominal or chest thrusts as required.	P	F

Feedback

Score the soldier GO if all steps are passed. Score the soldier NO GO if any step is failed. If the soldier scores NO GO, show what was done wrong and how to do it correctly.