Editing Choking (section)

===== Finger sweeping =====
It is crucial to avoid blindingly sweeping the airway unless there is direct visualization of the airway – in fact, these procedures are advised only to be performed in more controlled environments such as an operating room.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sarper Erikci |first=Volkan |date=2022-06-27 |title=Airway Foreign Bodies in Children: A Review Article |journal=Journal of Clinical Research and Reports |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=01–04 |doi=10.31579/2690-1919/250 |s2cid=250541892 |issn=2690-1919|doi-access=free }}</ref> In unconscious choking victims, the American Medical Association has previously advocated sweeping the fingers across the back of the throat to attempt to dislodge airway obstructions.<ref name="AMA">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/handbookoffirsta00amer |title=American Medical Association Handbook of First Aid and Emergency Care |date=2009-05-05 |publisher=[[Random House]] |isbn=978-1-4000-0712-7 |page=70 |quote=dislodge the object. |url-access=registration}}</ref> Many modern protocols suggest other treatment modalities are superior. Red Cross procedures also advise rescuers not to perform a finger sweep unless an object can be clearly seen in the victim's mouth to prevent driving the obstruction deeper into the victim's airway. Other protocols suggest that if the patient is conscious they will be able to remove the foreign object themselves, or if they are unconscious, the rescuer should place them in the [[recovery position]] to allow the drainage of fluids out of the mouth instead of down the trachea due to gravity. There is also a risk of causing further damage (inducing vomiting, for instance) by using a finger sweep technique. There are no studies that have examined the usefulness of the finger sweep technique when there is no visible object in the airway. Recommendations for the use of the finger sweep have been based on anecdotal evidence.<ref name=":2" />