In my years as an ENT surgeon, few calls are as chilling as the one describing a child who has swallowed a foreign object and stopped breathing. In these moments, the distance to the hospital can feel like miles, and the “Push Through” mentality we often see in corporate life is replaced by raw, justified panic.
When a child’s airway is blocked by a coin, a grape, or a small toy, you are the first responder. You don’t need a medical degree to save a life, but you do need a clear, rehearsed plan.
Here is exactly what to do when a child is unable to breathe.
