e. Continue administering chest thrusts at a rate of one thrust every 4 or 5
seconds until the obstruction is expelled or the person becomes unconscious. Each
thrust should be a separate and distinct movement delivered with the intent of
dislodging and expelling the object causing the blockage.
f. If the casualty loses consciousness before the object is expelled, call for help
again, move backward, and lower the casualty onto the ground so that he is in a supine
(on his back) position.
3-14. PREPARING TO ADMINISTER THRUSTS TO AN UNCONSCIOUS PERSON
a. Position the person so that he is lying flat on his back on a solid surface (for
example, the ground rather than on a mattress.)
b. Open the person's mouth by grasping the lower teeth, and using the thumb
and index finger to lift the jaw open.
c. Look into the mouth and perform a finger sweep to locate and remove any
loose obstruction. Do this by inserting the index finger of your hand along the inside of
one cheek. Using a hooking motion, move your finger from the far side of the mouth to
the near side.
d. Open the person's airway and administer two breaths using the procedures
given in paragraphs 3-4 and 3-6. If the attempt fails, reposition the head to further open
the airway and try again.
(1) If you see the chest rise and fall, check the person's pulse. If the person
has a pulse, perform mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing. If there is no pulse, perform
cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
(2) If the attempts at ventilation fail, perform abdominal or chest thrusts for
an unconscious person. If the person has significant abdominal injuries, is noticeably
pregnant, or is extremely overweight, administer chest thrusts. Otherwise, administer
abdominal thrusts.
3-15. ADMINISTERING ABDOMINAL THRUSTS TO AN UNCONSCIOUS PERSON
a. Kneel astride the person's thighs.
b. Place the heel of one hand on the midline of the person's abdomen slightly
above the navel (belt buckle) and well below the tip of the breastbone (xiphoid process)
with the fingers pointing toward the person's head (figure 3-15). Do not make your hand
into a fist.
MD0877
3-17
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