For a choking victim who is pregnant or obese, what technique should be used instead of abdominal thrusts?

In the case of a choking victim who is pregnant or obese, the use of chest thrusts is the recommended technique instead of abdominal thrusts. This adaptation is important because the anatomy and physical condition of these individuals make abdominal thrusts less effective and potentially dangerous.

Chest thrusts involve compressing the chest in an inward and upward motion, which can effectively dislodge an obstruction from a person’s airway without applying pressure to the abdomen. This is crucial for pregnant individuals as abdominal thrusts could also harm the fetus, and for those who are obese, leveraging the chest area might provide a better mechanical advantage to relieve the obstruction.

Using back blows, neck thrusts, or shoulder thrusts would not adequately address the need to dislodge an obstruction safely and effectively, making chest thrusts the preferred choice in these specific scenarios. Understanding when and how to adjust techniques based on the victim’s condition is essential for providing effective first aid in emergency situations.