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CPR/AED and First Aid Combo Course Online

Get certified in Adult, Child, and Infant CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens with our 100% online combo course. Complete it in just 2 hours and receive instant certification, unlimited quiz retakes, and mailed wallet cards—valid for 2 years for CPR/AED and First Aid, and 1 year for Bloodborne Pathogens.

Our online CPR/AED First Aid certification combo course includes Adult, Child and Infant CPR and First Aid training. The combo certification is valid for 2 years and includes a free mailed in wallet card. Led by OSHA certified instructors, our online CPR classes curriculum is advanced Read More and follows ECC guidelines to help you save lives. Read Less

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  • Chapters24
  • CE Credits6.0
  • Validity2 Years
  • Cost$36.95
  • Duration2-3 Hrs
  • ECCCompliant
  • Exam AttemptsUnlimited
  • Wallet CardDownload/Print/Mail

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Chapter 16: Choking Emergencies

A choking emergency happens when something blocks the airway, making it hard or impossible to breathe. It’s a serious situation that requires fast and confident action. In this part of your CPR/AED, First Aid & Bloodborne Pathogens Combo Training, you’ll learn how to recognize and respond to choking in adults and children.

What Is a Choking Emergency?

Choking is a medical emergency that occurs when a foreign object, like food or a small item, obstructs the airway and prevents air from reaching the lungs. A person who is choking typically cannot breathe, speak, or cough effectively.

Common Causes of Choking

Understanding the causes can help you prevent emergencies before they happen. Choking is often caused by:

  • Alcohol or drug consumption
  • Hard or small objects (e.g., coins, marbles) — especially risky for children
  • Eating too quickly or not chewing food properly
  • Ill-fitting dental appliances
  • Talking or laughing while eating

Signs and Symptoms of Choking

Recognizing the signs early is key in any choking first aid response. Look for:

  • Coughing or gagging
  • Difficulty breathing or wheezing
  • Gasping or panic
  • Inability to speak
  • Shortness of breath
  • Turning blue (cyanosis)
  • Loss of consciousness

First Aid Steps for Choking Victims

In your CPR Certification Online Training, the right response can make all the difference. Here’s what to do if someone is choking:

 

  • Ask, “Are you choking?” If the person nods or can’t respond, explain that you’re trained in CPR and are going to help.
  • Position yourself behind the person.
  • Make a fist and place it just above their belly button.
  • Grab your fist with your other hand and deliver quick, upward abdominal thrusts.
  • Continue thrusts until the object is expelled, or the person can breathe or cough forcefully.
  • For pregnant individuals or those too large to reach around, perform chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.

If the person becomes unconscious, begin CPR.

Defined:

A choking emergency (considered to be a medical emergency) is when an obstruction (object or food) blocks the airway and prevents air from getting to the lungs. The person is not able to breathe normally or cough. This section covers adult and child choking emergencies.

Causes:

  • Consumption of alcohol / drugs
  • Hard objects (i.e., marbles, coins) are more common hazards amongst children
  • Not chewing food properly
  • Poor fitting dental work
  • Talking or laughing while eating
Signs and Symptoms:
  • Coughing
  • Difficulty breathing or wheezing
  • Gasping
  • Holding the neck with one or both hands; using the universal choking sign
  • Inability to talk
  • Panic
  • Passing out
  • Turning blue
  • Shortness of breath or troubled breathing
First Aid Actions / Treatment:
  1. If a person is choking, ask “Are you choking?” If the person nods or is unable to breathe or respond, tell the person that you are trained in CPR and that you are going to help.
  2. Stand or kneel behind the person.
  3. Make a fist with one hand and place it on the person’s abdomen just above the belly button.
  4. Grab your fist with the other hand and give quick, upward abdominal thrusts.
  5. Continue abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged and the person can breathe or cough forcefully, OR person becomes unconscious.
  6. For pregnant women or someone too large for you, give chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.
  7. If an adult or child becomes unconscious, follow the steps to perform adult / child CPR.