Foreign Body Airway Obstruction

FO1 Marko D Mission, EMT-BBureau of Fire ProtectionPanabo City Fire StationDavao del Norte

Airway ObstructionAirway Obstruction

• Obstruction may result from the position of Obstruction may result from the position of head, the tongue, aspiration of vomitus, or a head, the tongue, aspiration of vomitus, or a foreign body.foreign body.

• Resulting to difficulty of breathing Resulting to difficulty of breathing (dyspnea) or respiratory arrest (apnea).(dyspnea) or respiratory arrest (apnea).

• Airway obstruction is an immediate life Airway obstruction is an immediate life threatening emergency.threatening emergency.

• Be prepared to treat it quickly.Be prepared to treat it quickly.

Types of ObstructionTypes of Obstruction

• AnatomicalAnatomical– Ex:Ex: tongue, epiglottis or inflammation of tongue, epiglottis or inflammation of

airwayairway

• MechanicalMechanical– Ex:Ex: coins, food, toy or any foreign objectcoins, food, toy or any foreign object

FBAO - Adult

Can be the causeof cardiac arrest

Can be the resultof cardiac arrest

Mild Airway Obstruction

Good air exchange.

May be able to speak.

SignsSigns

Responsive & can cough forcefully.May be wheeze between coughs.

Severe Airway Obstruction

Poor or no air exchange.

Weak, ineffective cough or no cough at all.

SignsSigns

Increased respiratory difficulty.

High-pitched noise while inhaling or no noise at all.

Possible cyanosis (turning blue).

Severe Airway Obstruction

Patient will be unable to speak, breathe, or cough.

Patient may clutch the neck with thumb and fingers.

Death will follow rapidly if prompt action is not taken.

Universal Signal

Mild Airway Obstruction

As long as good air exchange continues, encourage the victim to continue spontaneous coughing and breathing efforts.

Rescuer ActionsRescuer Actions

Do not interfere with the victim’s own attempts to expel the foreign body, but stay with the victim and monitor his/her condition.

Mild Airway Obstruction

If mild airway obstruction persists, activate the emergency response system.

Rescuer ActionsRescuer Actions

Severe Airway Obstruction

Ask the victim if he/she is choking. If the victim nods yes and cannot talk, sever airway obstruction is present and you must activate the emergency response system

Rescuer ActionsRescuer Actions

Abdominal Thrusts

Abdominal Thrusts (continued)

Chest Thrusts (pregnant patient)

If unconscious, Finger Sweep only if you see the object

Attempt to ventilate.

Proceed to CPR

FBAO - Infants/Children

“More than 80% of childhood deaths from FBAO are in

children below age 5. 65% are infants.”

FBAO - Infants/Children Airway obstructions can be caused by infections.

Blind finger sweeps are not done in infants and children.

Determine responsiveness.

Open airway.

Attempt to ventilate.

Deliver five back-blows.

Deliver five chest-thrusts.

Inspect airway.

Repeat...