Final answer:
To assist a choking child, encourage them to cough if they can make sounds, deliver five firm back blows if they can't, and, if necessary, perform the Heimlich maneuver with upward and inward thrusts until the object is dislodged or emergency help arrives.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you notice a child is choking on food at the concession stand and have activated your Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and gotten consent from the parents, the next steps are critical in ensuring the safety and well-being of the child. First, determine the severity of the choking. If the child can cough or make sounds, encourage them to continue coughing to dislodge the object. If the child is unable to cough, speak, or breathe, you should begin with giving five firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand to dislodge the object.
If the back blows do not resolve the choking, proceed with the Heimlich maneuver. To perform this, stand behind the child, wrap your arms around their waist, make a fist with one hand, place it just above the child’s navel, grasp the fist with your other hand, and deliver a series of upward and inward thrusts to create sufficient force to help expel the lodged object. Continue this until the object is expelled or emergency services arrive. If at any point the child becomes unconscious, begin CPR and call for emergency medical assistance immediately.