Airway Obstructions

In order for oxygen from the air to flow to and from the lungs, the upper airway must be unobstructed. Airway obstructions occur because of the following:

• The casualty's tongue falls back into his throat while he is unconscious as a result of injury, cardiopulmonary arrest (the tongue falls back and obstructs, it is not swallowed)
• Foreign bodies become lodged in the throat. These obstructions usually occur while eating (meat most commonly causes obstructions)
• The contents of the stomach are regurgitated or vomited, and thus block the airway.
• Blood clots may form as a result of head and facial injuries, and these clots block the airway.
• Upper airway obstruction may be either partial or complete.

Partial Airway Obstruction

The casualty may still have an air exchange.

A GOOD AIR EXCHANGE casualty can:

• Cough forcefully, though he may be wheezing between coughs.
  Do not interfere, encourage the casualty to cough up the object on his own.

A POOR AIR EXCHANGE may be indicated by:

• Weak coughing, accompanied by a high pitched wheezy noise between coughs.
• Cyanosis: Paleness of the skin, a bluish tint around the lips or fingernail beds, which indicates a lack of oxygen.
• Treat for a complete obstruction.