Choking Health Article

Parental concerns

Because most choking incidents occur in the home, all parents and infant/child caregivers should be trained in the Heimlich maneuver. Training is available through the American Red Cross and American Heart Association at local schools, YMCAs, and community centers.

The likelihood of choking incidents can be reduced by closely supervising infants and children while they eat and play. Most choking incidents are associated with food items, especially hot dogs, candies, grapes, nuts, popcorn, and carrots. Common non-food items that present choking hazards include deflated balloons, buttons, coins, small balls, small toys, and toy parts. All toys should be examined to make sure they are age-appropriate and do not have loose parts.

BOOKS

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association, 2001.

PERIODICALS

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Nonfatal Choking-Related Episodes among Children—United States, 2001." Journal of the American Medical Association 288 (November 20, 2002): 2400–02.

Vikle, Gary M., et al. "Airway Obstruction in Children Aged Less than Five Years: The Prehospital Experience." Prehospital Emergency Care 8 (2004): 196–99.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Heart Association. 7320 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231. Web site: <www.americanheart.org>.

The Heimlich Institute. 311 Straight St., Cincinnati, OH 45219–9957. Web site: <www.heimlichinstitute.org>.

WEB SITES

"Choking Episodes among Children." National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Available online at <www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/spotlite/choking.htm> (accessed December 8, 2004).

"Heimlich Maneuver." American Heart Association, 2004. Available online at <www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4605> (accessed December 8, 2004).

"Infant First Aid for Choking and CPR: An Illustrated Guide." BabyCenter, 2004. Available online at <www.babycenter.com/general/9298.html> (accessed December 8, 2004).

National Safe Kids Campaign. Available online at <www.safekids.org> (accessed December 8, 2004).

Jennifer E. Sisk, M.A.