An emergency procedure employed to clear the air passage of an individual experiencing choking is known as chest thrusts. This technique involves positioning oneself behind the person in distress, encircling their chest, and firmly placing a closed fist with the thumb inward against the lower breastbone. Grasping the fist with the opposite hand, forceful inward and upward thrusts are applied to the casualty’s chest wall, typically repeated up to five times. The applied pressure mimics the coughing reflex, potentially dislodging the blockage.
When tending to an infant, the technique involves the first responder cradling the baby on their forearm, ensuring that the face is turned upward and the head is positioned downward. Using two fingertips of the opposite hand, the first responder applies pressure to the infant’s lower breastbone and administers up to five vigorous thrusts to the chest.