How many back slaps should you administer to an infant who is choking?

When dealing with an infant who is choking, the recommended procedure includes administering a specific number of back slaps to help dislodge the obstruction. The guideline for infants dictates that five back slaps should be performed. This approach targets the upper back region and utilizes gravity along with the force of the slaps to try to clear the airway.

The rationale behind this number is that five back slaps provide an effective but manageable amount of intervention. It is crucial that these slaps are delivered with sufficient force while still being gentle enough to prevent any additional injury to the infant. The technique is complemented with other maneuvers, such as chest thrusts, which form part of a comprehensive strategy for addressing choking in infants.

This balance of quick and effective action is critical in emergencies, reinforcing the importance of being trained and prepared to respond to such situations with appropriate measures.