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How to Perform Back Slaps and Chest Thrust: Infant Choking
Step 4

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Final answer:

To address infant choking, back slaps and chest thrusts should be performed, and for adults, encourage coughing and then proceed to the Heimlich maneuver if necessary.

Step-by-step explanation:

Performing Back Slaps and Chest Thrusts on an Infant

When an infant is choking, it's critical to take immediate action to dislodge the obstructing object. Step 4 is to turn the baby upside down and give a series of up to five back slaps between the infant's shoulder blades using the heel of your hand. If the back slaps do not remove the blockage, it is necessary to perform chest thrusts. Lay the infant face-up on your forearm, while supporting their head with your hand, place two fingers in the middle of their chest, and give up to five quick thrusts. The combination of back slaps and chest thrusts can help in dislodging an item from an infant's airway.

For older individuals who are choking, encourage them to cough first as this may naturally expel the object. If ineffective, administer back slaps. Should these not work, the Heimlich maneuver should be performed, always considering to call for emergency medical care if the situation does not resolve.

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