Preventing Airway Obstructions

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Preventing Airway Obstructions
WHAM
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WHAM

• What risks are observed on scene?
• How can we keep from coming back?
• Action to take to prevent future injuries
• Materials to leave behind

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Airway Obstructions

• Airway obstructions include accidental choking,
  strangulation and suffocation
• Children under 3 are most at risk
• Food is the most common cause of choking
• Since 1990, 200 infants and young children have
  been strangled to death by window cords in the US

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What risks are observed on scene?

• Your patient is a 15-month- old baby boy. He
  choked on a button he found on the floor,
  prompting his parents to make a frantic call to
  9-1-1. When you arrive, he is alert and crying
  in his mothers arms. The tearful mother tells
  you that she expelled the button with back slaps.

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How can we keep from coming back?
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Action to taketo prevent further injuries

• Encourage parents to inspect childs play area by
  getting on the floor at the childs eye level
• Show parent how toilet tissue roll can be used as
  a small parts tester (anything small enough to
  fit in the roll is too small for toddlers)
• Recommend parents take First Aid/CPR class
• Remind parents of other common hazards
• Food, window blind cords, recalled toys (Refer to
  www.recalls.gov)

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Materials to leave behind

• Utilize WHAM folder on rig
• Provide Safe Kids brochure Prevent Choking
• List of your departments CPR classes (if
  available)

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Further info on Preventing Airway Obstructions

• Links
• www.recalls.gov (recalled consumer products,
  including items such as toys or cribs that do not
  meet choking prevention or head entrapment
  standards)
• http//www.windowcoverings.org (Window Covering
  Council with info on retrofitting window blinds
  purchased before 2001)

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WHAM developed by Central Pierce Fire
RescueCity of DuPont Fire DepartmentGig Harbor
Fire Medic OneSafe Kids Pierce
CountyTacoma-Pierce County Health Dept.
With funding fromWest Region EMS Trauma Care
Council