🚑 Hey there! 👋 It’s always important to prepare yourself for emergencies. You never know when someone’s life may depend on the skills you have. Knowing first aid techniques is one sure way to keep that person alive. In this blog, we’ll discuss first aid techniques that can be used in life-threatening emergencies such as choking and severe allergic reactions.

Choking

😫 Choking occurs when a person’s airway becomes blocked, usually by food or foreign objects. This can be a life-threatening situation, and immediate action is required. Here are some first aid techniques to follow in case of choking:

Step One: Assess the Situation

👀 The first thing you need to do is to assess the situation. If the person can cough, speak, or breathe, let them try to cough the object out on their own. Do not interfere or hit them on the back, as it can worsen the situation.

Step Two: Apply the Heimlich Maneuver

💪 If the person cannot cough or breathe, they’re choking and need help. Stand behind them, wrap your arms around their waist, and make a fist with one hand. Place your fist just above their navel, then grab your fist with your other hand and pull it upwards in a quick, upward motion. Repeat this action until the object is dislodged.

Step Three: Call Emergency Services

📞 If the object is still stuck, or if the person is unresponsive, call emergency services immediately.

A depiction of the Heimlich Maneuver being applied to a choking victim

Severe Allergic Reactions

😷 Severe allergic reactions, also known as anaphylaxis, can be caused by a variety of triggers, including insect bites, medication, and food. This is a life-threatening emergency, and immediate action must be taken. Here are some of the first aid techniques that can be followed in case of a severe allergic reaction:

Step One: Recognize the Symptoms

👀 The first step is to recognize the symptoms of anaphylaxis. These may include difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips and tongue, a rapid heartbeat, and hives or rash on the skin.

Step Two: Administer Epinephrine

💉 Administering Epinephrine is the very first thing you should do if you believe someone suffering from a severe allergic reaction. Epinephrine injections are more commonly known as EpiPens, which are small, pre-filled syringes that are easy to use. Inject the EpiPen into the person’s thigh and listen to their breathing.

Step Three: Call Emergency Services

📞 If the symptoms do not improve, or if the person is unresponsive, immediately call for emergency services.

An image of an EpiPen injecting into a person's thigh

👍 Taking immediate action is necessary in both situations. Knowing the techniques to apply during choking, or when someone is experiencing anaphylaxis, is invaluable. You can save someone’s life! 💪

Image Description: An image of a person performing the Heimlich Maneuver and administering an EpiPen to a person with anaphylaxis, representing the two situations in the blog.

An image representing both situations, choking and severe allergic reaction