Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

3 Airway and Breathing

If a patient shows signs of a complete airway obstruction you must take action quickly. With both partial and complete airway obstruction, some of these signs are common. Differences in the patient’s colour, their ability to cough or speak and the lack of air exchange will indicate a severe and complete airway obstruction. Signs of Complete Airway Obstruction – Choking • Grabbing of throat • Signs of distress, looking scared • Cannot speak or cough • Cyanosis, grey/blue pallor, lips, ears, eyelids • High-pitched wheezing or no breathing

If the patient can breathe, cough forcibly, or talk, then do not interfere with their efforts to clear the obstruction themselves. Monitor them closely and encourage them to continue coughing.

Signs of Partial Obstruction – Choking • Grabbing of throat • Signs of distress • Looking scared • Strong cough • Flushed, red face • Wheezing or gagging

If a patient cannot clear a partial obstruction after several minutes, then seek medical help.

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