A mealtime or a children’s game can turn into a panic situation in seconds. Someone is choking. The sound of desperate coughing, the changing color of the face, the struggle for air. The instinct of many, almost a cultural reflex, is to rush and give vigorous slaps on the person’s back. But is this widely spread attitude really the most effective? The answer is complex and, in many cases, dangerous.
The question of whether slapping on the back helps to unblock is more than just curiosity; it is a safety issue that can determine the outcome of an emergency. Acting based on incorrect information can not only delay proper assistance but also worsen the obstruction, turning a partial choke into a total airway blockage. The despair of the moment can lead us to make hasty decisions, and it is precisely at this point that knowledge makes all the difference.
As specialists in emotional health and the functioning of the mind in stressful situations, we understand that preparation goes beyond technique. It is necessary to have clarity to assess the situation and act precisely. Calmness is the first step of any successful first aid procedure. Without it, technical knowledge is lost amid anxiety and fear.
In this article, we will demystify once and for all the practice of slapping on the back in cases of choking. We will present what science and first aid protocols recommend, detailing the step-by-step of the correct way to act, whether with adults, children, or babies. More than that, we will explore the importance of emotional control in these critical moments.
We believe that to help people effectively, it is essential to combine technical knowledge with the ability to manage one’s own automatic reactions. We will address how stress and anxiety can be the real villains in an emergency and how mental preparation is as crucial as physical preparation for anyone wishing to act in any area of human care. Continue reading to prepare to act safely and confidently.
Slap on the Back: When It Helps and When It Hinders
It is important to demystify the idea that slapping on the back is always the solution for choking. This action can be ineffective and, in some cases, even dangerous. To understand better, we need to differentiate between partial and total airway obstruction.
In partial obstruction, the person can still cough, speak, or even cry. In this scenario, the cough reflex is the most efficient mechanism and should be encouraged. A light slap on the back may at most stimulate coughing, but should not be considered the main technique. The best thing to do is to encourage the person to cough, as this can help expel the obstructing object.
On the other hand, when dealing with total obstruction, where the person cannot make a sound and brings their hands to their neck, the situation changes drastically. In this case, slapping on the back can be not only ineffective but also dangerous. The slap can push the object further down the trachea, complicating an already critical situation. Therefore, quickly understanding the severity of the situation is the first and most crucial step to take.
Knowing how to recognize the signs of choking and adopting the appropriate approach can make all the difference. Whenever in doubt, seeking help immediately is essential to ensure the safety of the affected person.
Heimlich Maneuver: The Life-Saving Procedure
The Heimlich Maneuver is the recommended technique to assist in cases of choking, especially in situations of total airway obstruction. Learning this maneuver can save lives. Here are the steps to perform it correctly on adults and children.
- Positioning: Stand behind the person who is choking.
- Locating the pressure point: Make a fist and place it just above the person’s navel.
- Compression movement: With the other hand, grasp your fist and make quick inward compressions towards the stomach. Repeat until the object is expelled or help arrives.
For babies under one year old, the technique is a bit different. Here are the steps to follow:
- Hold the baby face down, supported on your forearm, so that their head is lower than their body.
- Give five slaps on the baby’s back with the palm of your hand, between the shoulder blades.
- If the object is still not expelled, carefully turn the baby over, keeping them supported on your forearm.
- Perform five chest compressions using two fingers until the object is expelled.
It is crucial to immediately call emergency services, such as SAMU (192) or the Fire Department (193), before or during the execution of the maneuvers. Speed and correctness in action are fundamental to ensure the safety of the choking person.
The Psychological Factor: The Worst Enemy is Panic
In emergency situations, the emotional state can be as critical as the first aid techniques used. When someone is choking, panic can take over both the victim and the rescuer. This acute stress reaction activates the famous ‘fight or flight’ system, releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. While these hormones can be helpful in emergencies, they can also impair clear thinking and motor coordination.
Panic can cause the rescuer to forget important steps for the maneuver, such as the correct application of the slap on the back or the call for professional help. Elevated stress can obliterate procedural memory, leading to hasty actions and ultimately fatal errors. For example, the rescuer may end up applying the wrong technique or, worse, hesitate to call Emergency Services. This reinforces the idea that knowing the technique is not enough; it is also essential to be able to remain calm.
This ability to control emotion and focus in critical situations is trainable. Strategies like scientific hypnosis, which is based on states of focused attention, can help rescuers access more rational and deliberate responses in crisis moments. When the mind is trained to minimize automatic stress reactions, the likelihood of acting correctly increases, thus saving lives.
Mental Preparation to Help: The Connection with Hypnosis
True preparation to help in emergency situations goes beyond memorizing techniques; it involves a deep connection with the emotional state of both the rescuer and the victim. The phrase “everything that stress and anxiety can worsen, scientific hypnosis can help” is central to this perspective. Hypnosis, understood as a state of focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness, is a powerful tool that trains the mind to manage automatic stress reactions.
According to Daniel Kahneman’s theory of “fast and slow,” hypnosis allows access to the so-called “system 2,” which is responsible for deliberate thinking and critical analysis. This contrasts with “system 1,” which is responsible for impulsive and rapid reactions. In a choking situation, for example, a calm and centered caregiver can better apply the necessary procedures, increasing the chances of success.
Healthcare professionals who master scientific hypnosis become more effective, as they can maintain calm and clarity in moments of intense pressure. This skill is crucial, whether executing the correct choking maneuver or implementing complex clinical treatments. Thus, hypnosis not only helps in stress management but also enhances the effectiveness of the intervention, allowing assistance to be provided more safely and informed.
Conclusion
Throughout this guide, we have unraveled a crucial doubt: does slapping on the back help to unblock? The answer, as we have seen, is not a simple yes or no. We learned to differentiate a partial choke, where coughing is the best defense, from a total blockage, where the Heimlich Maneuver is the correct and lifesaving procedure, making slapping on the back a high-risk action.
More important than just memorizing the steps of a technique, we discussed the fundamental pillar of any successful rescue: emotional control. Panic can be an enemy as dangerous as the obstruction itself, clouding judgment and paralyzing correct action. Maintaining calm is not a luxury but a necessity to apply knowledge effectively and save a life.
It is here that our mission at the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis connects to seemingly distant themes like first aid. We believe that the ability to help people in a professional and ethical manner invariably involves emotional self-management. Scientific hypnosis emerges as an exceptional, evidence-based tool to train the mind, modulate stress responses, and maintain clarity under pressure. It enhances the performance of any professional dealing with the well-being of others.
Preparation to help is therefore a dual journey: acquiring technical knowledge and developing the mental strength to apply it. Whether in a sudden choking emergency or in a complex health treatment, the ability to focus attention, reduce the impact of stress, and respond deliberately is what distinguishes an amateur from an excellent professional.
Are you interested in learning scientific hypnosis to apply professionally? To enhance your results in your current profession or even to have a new profession? Discover the training and postgraduate courses in evidence-based hypnosis at the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis through the link: https://www.hipnose.com.br/cursos/
Frequently Asked Questions
Is slapping on the back the best way to unblock a person?
No. Although many people think that slapping on the back is the solution, it can be dangerous. In cases of total obstruction, this action can worsen the situation by displacing the obstructing object. Instead, it is important to use the Heimlich Maneuver, which is the technique recommended by experts.
What to do if a child is choking?
The first thing to do is assess the severity of the situation. If the child can still cough, encourage them to keep doing so. If the obstruction is total, use the Heimlich Maneuver, adjusting the steps for their age group. Always call for emergency services when faced with this situation.
What is the difference between partial and total airway obstruction?
Partial obstruction allows the victim to cough, speak, or have rasping breaths. Total obstruction occurs when the person cannot make sounds and touches their neck. This difference is crucial to determine the appropriate approach for each choking situation.
How does emotional control influence the application of first aid?
Emotional control is essential because panic can lead to hasty reactions and errors. During an emergency, maintaining calm allows the rescuer to apply techniques correctly and call for help efficiently. Training in hypnosis can assist in this skill, facilitating a rational response in critical situations.
What is the Heimlich Maneuver and how should it be performed?
The Heimlich Maneuver is a vital procedure to clear the airway in cases of total choking. To perform it, position yourself behind the person, place your hands above the navel, and make quick inward compressions. This movement increases abdominal pressure, helping to expel the obstructing object.
