2. The Different Faces of Choking
To effectively prevent choking, it is crucial to understand that it is not a single event but a category of emergencies. Choking can be caused by water, physical force, or toxic gases, each requiring a different awareness strategy.
| Category | Specific Type | Key Thing to Know |
| Water-Related | Drowning | Occurs when water fills the airways and lungs. |
| Water-Related | Dry Drowning | A spasm closes the airway in response to water, even if no water enters the lungs. |
| Water-Related | Secondary Drowning | Occurs hours or even days after water exposure, as a small amount of water in the lungs causes swelling (edema). |
| Foreign Object | Food/Object Blockage | Happens when a piece of food or a small object gets stuck in the windpipe, blocking airflow. |
| Environmental | Mechanical Asphyxia | Caused by external pressure on the body—such as from a constricted chest or entanglement in a long cord—that physically prevents breathing. |
| Environmental | Chemical Choking | Results from inhaling toxic gases or fumes (like carbon monoxide) that stop the lungs from working properly. |
Recognizing the different causes is helpful, but knowing the universal signs of distress is even more critical.