RSS FeedsWhat do you do if a child is choking with a spinal ijury, conscious AND unconscious?
I have to do my lifeguard renewal exam at the end of the week, and am filling in loads of revision sheets at the mo, but coz all the rules (like CPR) have changed since 2 yrs ago I can't remember some of the stuff!
What do you do if you have a (ALL SPINAL INJURY)
Child choking conscious and unconscious
Baby choking conscious and unconscious
Adult choking conscious and unconscious?!
Please help, it will really be appreciated!
Breathing takes precedence over any injury including spinal injury.
If unconscious and breathing the victim must be put on to their side (lateral/recovery position). Taking care not to bend or twist the spine and neck. Have someone assist you to roll the victim into lateral/recovery position, with you supporting the head and neck, with a lateral head clamp. Turning the victim on your count not the person helping.
If the airways have become completely blocked, and the victim is unconscious, you will need to commence CPR immediately. Because they are in respiratory arrest.
As for a conscious victim who is strapped to a spinal board, you will need to be keep them calm, encourage them to cough. It has been some time since I did my last Lifeguard qualifications update, so this may part have changed.
Other wise treat as normal chocking victim.
I did try to find some links for you, but could only find a few which may or may not help.
Good luck with you exam
January 31st, 2009
im a first aider at work..the vast majority of it is just the same
try these two sites they will help you
keep up the good work
http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/first-aid-advice.aspx
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/first_aid/index.shtml
References :
January 31st, 2009
As far as I remember….ABC comes first ..so if the choking is compromising their breathing to hell with the spinal injury and treat as a normal choking……clear obstruction using fingers…if still choking…back slaps or abdominal thrusts.
ps..dont quote me on this..Im not a dr
References :
January 31st, 2009
the answer to all is chest compressions while maintaining cervical alignment of the head/neck.
References :
January 31st, 2009
its always life over limb….so for concious you would either do chest compressions if they are laying down (if they have a spinal then they will probably be on a backboard
and if they are unconcious you do the same (both adult and child)
Infant you would do the back blows and two finger compressions
so yeah you treat the choking not the spinal
References :
Ellis Lifeguard
January 31st, 2009
Breathing takes precedence over any injury including spinal injury.
If unconscious and breathing the victim must be put on to their side (lateral/recovery position). Taking care not to bend or twist the spine and neck. Have someone assist you to roll the victim into lateral/recovery position, with you supporting the head and neck, with a lateral head clamp. Turning the victim on your count not the person helping.
If the airways have become completely blocked, and the victim is unconscious, you will need to commence CPR immediately. Because they are in respiratory arrest.
As for a conscious victim who is strapped to a spinal board, you will need to be keep them calm, encourage them to cough. It has been some time since I did my last Lifeguard qualifications update, so this may part have changed.
Other wise treat as normal chocking victim.
I did try to find some links for you, but could only find a few which may or may not help.
Good luck with you exam
References :
Ex Lifeguard and now a teacher of First Aid (not specific to Lifeguarding)
CPR and drowning victim
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/112/24_suppl/IV-133
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/112/24_suppl/IV-196
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-choking/FA00025
http://www.infomat.net/infomat/focus/health/first_aid/choking.htm
Lifesaving Resources inc USA
http://www.lifesaving.com/