How Do You Tell If A Choking Victim Is Breathing?
Watching someone choke can be scary. However, if you keep your head, you can help. Before you jump into action to help a choking victim, you should know how to tell if he is breathing. Listen for breathing. If a choking victim is getting any air, they’ll make a wheezing sound and their abdominal muscles will heave. If they’re not getting any air, they cannot make any sound. Look at their extremities. If they’re not breathing, their extremities (fingers and lips) will start to turn blue. Watch for breathing. If the victim is unconscious, lean in close and watch for their chest to rise and fall. If it doesn’t, they’re probably not breathing. If you suspect the victim is breathing shallowly, hold a compact mirror under her nose and see if fog forms. The fog indicates breathing. Perform the Heimlich maneuver if the person is conscious. Stand behind him and put your foot between his legs. Place your fist, thumb side first, into his abdomen. Cover your fist with the other hand. Thrust inward
