First aid in patients with difficulty breathing due to obstruction

In order to maintain permeability in the airway, there should not be anything in the respiratory tract that might prevent the flow of air:

Conscious patient with incomplete obstruction:

  • Encourage them to cough. Do not pat on the back.
  • If the patient is a child, place them upside down and tap them in between their shoulder blades.

 

Conscious patient with complete obstruction:

  • Perform Heimlich maneuver.

 

Unconscious patient with complete obstruction:

  • Give two breaths and perform Heimlich maneuver with the patient decubitus supine and with their head tilted sideways.