The most powerful tool for clearing a partial obstruction is the person's own cough. If they are coughing effectively, stand close, encourage them to keep going, and watch carefully. The moment the cough becomes weak or silent, or they cannot speak or breathe, that is when you act. Five firm back blows between the shoulder blades, then five sharp abdominal thrusts just above the navel. Alternate until the obstruction clears or they become unconscious, in which case you start CPR.
Written by Dr. Nilu Sunil, MBBS, DEM, FEM, FACEE, FRCEM (A), PGDHHM, PGDMLS, EMDM, MBA, Head of Emergency Medicine, SPARSH Hospital, Hennur Road, Bengaluru. 25+ years, 10,000+ emergency cases managed. CPR trainer: 30,000+ people trained. Phone: +91 9000888624.
