Evaluation of Foreign Body Airway Obstruction Interventions: A Prospective Cohort Study of Adults and Children

Foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO, choking) is a life-threatening emergency requiring time-sensitive treatment to prevent severe injury or deaths. Traditional treatments taught in first aid courses include abdominal thrusts, back blows, and chest compressions or thrusts. Currently, first aid guidelines recommend different treatments for adults, child and infants. Until recently, data on these techniques was limited to case series from the late 1900's. To further improve our knowledge of which treatment is most effective and safest for patients, this study will collect data on choking incidents in Alberta, Canada. This study will focus on adults and children over the age of 2 years.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult or children (aged greater than 2 years) who experienced an out-of-hospital FBAO in Alberta, Canada * Received a FBAO intervention by bystander or healthcare provider * Were assessed by EMS at the time of the incident, or later attended an emergency department due to the incident Exclusion Criteria: \- Patients with abnormal airway anatomy such as a tracheostomy.