OVACE, Obstrucción de vía Aérea: ¿Qué hacer cuando alguien se ahoga o atraganta?

Key wellness & safety strategies (choking/airway obstruction)

Recognize what kind of obstruction it is

• Partial obstruction: the person can still speak (though they may still struggle to breathe).
• Complete obstruction: the person can not speak or make sounds, may turn purple, and can become unconscious.

Act immediately (time matters)

• Start the correct maneuver right away—delay can be fatal.

Perform the Heimlich maneuver for typical cases

• Position yourself safely behind the person.
• Place a fist at the midpoint between the navel and the lower part of the sternum.
• Use your other hand to clasp.
• Deliver firm inward and upward compressions (front-to-back and bottom-to-top as described) to clear the airway and dislodge the object.

If the person becomes unconscious

• Lay the person on the floor and continue care (the guidance emphasizes proceeding immediately once they’re on the ground).

Special considerations

• Pregnant people and obese individuals: you may not be able to fully encircle the chest.
  • Instead, place hands on the lower half of the chest and perform firm, front-to-back thrusts.

Avoid common harmful actions

Do not:

• Give water to a choking person
• Pat their back
• Lift their arms
• Place them face down

These actions won’t help and can waste critical time.

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Presenters / sources

• Fernando Roca — volunteer doctor with the Red Cross (Cruz Roja)