Editing Choking (section)

=== Self-treatment ===

First aid anti-choking techniques can be applied on oneself if others are not around to perform general first aid. This can include carrying an approved [[#Anti-choking devices|anti-choking device]] nearby (see above) or conducting first aid techniques on oneself, mainly by hand:

The most widely recommended manoeuver consists of positioning ones own abdomen over the border of an object: usually a chairback, but it could work on an armchair, railing or countertop, and then ''driving the abdomen upon the border'', making sharp thrusts in an inwards-an-upwards direction. It is possible to ''place a fist or both fists between the chosen border and the belly'', to increase the pressure of the manoeuver and make it easier (depending on the situation). It is also possible trying to fall on the edge, aiming to achieve more pressure in that way. Other variation of this consists in pressing one's own belly with an appropriated object, in an inwards-and-upwards direction.

Additionally, ''abdominal thrusts can be self-applied'' only with the hands. This is achieved by making a fist, grasping it with the other hand, and placing them on the area located between the chest and the belly button. Then the body is bent forward and the hands make strong compressions pressing in an inwards-an-upwards direction. One study concluded that the self-administered abdominal thrusts were as effective as those performed by another person.<ref>{{cite journal |display-authors=et al |vauthors=Pavitt MJ, Swanton LL, Hind M |date=12 April 2017 |title=Choking on a foreign body: a physiological study of the effectiveness of abdominal thrust manoeuvres to increase thoracic pressure. |journal=Thorax |volume=72 |issue=6 |pages=576–578 |doi=10.1136/thoraxjnl-2016-209540 |pmc=5520267 |pmid=28404809}}</ref>

When certain scenarios make it impossible for self treatment with abdominal thrust (serious injuries, pregnancy, or obesity), the ''self application of chest thrusts'' is recommended, although more difficult. This would be achieved by leaning the body forward, making a fist, grasping it with the other hand, and doing strong compressions inwards with both of them on the lower half of the chest bone (the [[sternum]], the bone that crosses vertically the middle of the chest). It is convenient to relax the chest for a better reception. Other variation of this is the use of an appropriated object to press inwards in the same point, being equally convenient to receive the compressions when the chest is relaxed.[[File:Head-down position for self-treatment of choking if other approaches fail.gif|thumb|Head-down position for self-treatment of choking if other approaches fail.]]
Making attempts to cough, when it is possible, can also aid in clearing the airway.

Alternatively, multiple sources of evidence suggest applying the head-down (inverse) position.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Luczak |first=Artur |date=2019 |title=Effect of body position on relieve of foreign body from the airway<sup>†</sup> |journal=AIMS Public Health |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=154–159 |doi=10.3934/publichealth.2019.2.154 |issn=2327-8994 |pmc=6606524 |pmid=31297401 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last=Luczak |first=Artur |date=June 2016 |title=Head-down self-treatment of choking |journal=Resuscitation |volume=103 |pages=e13 |doi=10.1016/j.resuscitation.2016.02.015 |issn=0300-9572 |pmid=26923159 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> is a promising self treatment. To perform this manoeuver, put your hands on the floor and then place the knees on an upper seat (as on a bed, a sofa, or an armchair). Additional movements up or down can be attempted in this position.