Complete Airway Obstruction

A complete obstruction (no air exchange) is indicated if:

• The casualty cannot speak, breathe, or cough at all
• The casualty is clutching his neck moving erratically

In an unconscious victim, a complete obstruction is also indicated if after opening his airway, you are unable ventilate him (that is, get enough air into his lungs to observe his chest rise).

Remove Obstruction - Finger Sweep

If you still cannot administer rescue breathing due to an airway obstruction, then remove the airway obstruction using your fingers:

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1. Open the victim's mouth by grasping both his tongue and lower jaw between your thumb and forefingers and lifting.
2. Insert the index finger of the other hand down along the inside of his cheek to the base of the tongue.
3. Use a hooking motion from the side of the mouth toward the center to dislodge the foreign body.
4. WARNING! Be careful not to force the object deeper into the airway by pushing it with the finger.