3.0 Differentiating Types of Airway Emergencies

Understanding the different classifications of choking and suffocation helps a first-aider comprehend the specific risks and potential delayed effects associated with each type of incident. This knowledge is crucial for providing the correct care and understanding the need for follow-up medical evaluation.

3.2.1. Water-Related Emergencies

• Drowning: This is the most commonly understood form of suffocation, caused by the aspiration of water into the respiratory tract. Drowning can occur due to an inability to swim, sudden muscle cramps, exhaustion, or a medical event like a heart attack while in the water. The physiological effects can differ; freshwater is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream from the lungs, while saltwater can draw fluid from the blood into the lungs, causing more significant pulmonary edema.
• Dry Drowning: This occurs when exposure to water causes an involuntary spasm of the larynx (voice box), which closes the airway and blocks breathing without significant amounts of water entering the lungs. Although the person is removed from the water, the spasm can persist, restricting oxygen intake. Symptoms like coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath can appear hours after the initial incident.
• Secondary Drowning: This is a delayed reaction where even a small amount of aspirated water causes inflammation and fluid buildup (pulmonary edema) inside the lungs. This dangerous condition can occur hours or even days after the initial water incident. Anyone who has experienced a water emergency must seek immediate medical attention if they later develop symptoms like persistent coughing, fatigue, wheezing, or shortness of breath.

3.2.2. Obstruction and Asphyxia

• Choking on a Foreign Object: This is a blockage of the windpipe (trachea) by food or a small object. It is a common emergency in both children, who may put small items in their mouths, and adults, often resulting from eating too quickly.
• Mechanical Asphyxia: This refers to suffocation caused by external pressure that prevents breathing. This can include pressure on the chest or neck, or the blockage of the mouth and nose by an external object like a pillow or plastic bag.
• Chemical Asphyxiation: This form of suffocation occurs when the body is unable to use oxygen due to the inhalation of toxic gases. Common causes include carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty appliances or inhaling smoke from a fire. The toxic substances prevent oxygen from being transported by or used in the body’s cells.

Now that the types of airway emergencies are understood, the focus will shift to the specific, life-saving actions to take in a drowning scenario.