Learning first aid after experience?

Question

Just wanted some advice.
I will always remember today as i was about to choke on a large piece of sliced fruit. There was no one around in the house at the time and my room door was locked at the time so no one could come to help. I fell instantly to the floor and everything started to go dark. My life flashed before my eyes as i was choking and fell to the floor. I managed to get enough strength together and ran at full speed towards the wall and bumped it hard, the sliced fruit (wasnt soft) then fell down. I was seconds away from death.
What can an individual do if he is on his own like that and starts choking? I now want to learn first aid - how much would it cost - i know its a 3 day course but not sure on price?

Answer 1

Here is what you do: If you are choking and alone You can perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself by giving yourself abdominal thrusts. Or position yourself over the back of a chair or against a railing or counter and press forcefully enough into it so that the thrust dislodges the object.
You need to contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross and find out how much the class costs and how long it takes. http://www.redcross.org

Answer 2

Lean over the back of a hard chair (a dining chair) and firmly press into your stomach - a bit like doing the heimlich manoeuvre.
Since the force needed to remove a blockage may be enough to cause bruising, get yourself checked out by a doctor to make sure you haven't done any serious damage.

A first aid course is a minimum of 12 contact hours for Basic First Aid - prices vary by geography and provider.

EDIT - why is this such a bad answer?

Answer 3

You can get first aid, and infant / child/ adult cpr in a day. Call the American Red Cross, and also the Heart Association. Also, some area gyms, colleges and hospitals will do classes. I'd say you could get the whole thing for under $75 - well worth the cost!

Answer 4

Self-aid for choking is to drop yourself over the back of a chair, trying to use the chair to shove your organs up against the bottom of your lungs to pop the item out.

The problem, of course, is that you panic quickly when you cannot breathe.

The American Red Cross Adult CPR course (which is the one that covers choking) runs about 4 hours and about $30-40. You can add other modules, like AEDs and First Aid for more time and a few extra bucks.

You can locate your local branch here: http://www.redcross.org

Answer 5

Many fire departments offer them. Sometimes they are offered as a part of a Neighborhood Emergency Response Training, or Disaster Area Response Training class. The fire department in my town has the Neighborhood Emergency Response Training, and it covers a lot more than just that.

Answer 6

The best thing you can do for the situation you describe is learn the Heimlich maneuver. You can do it yourself against a chair back or other straight, hard surface.

Answer 7

Your very lucky.Lucky you were able to dislodge it.I'm sure a lot of people are unprepaired for these things .I managed to do this twice but wasn't passing out.A nieghbor died of a heart attack ,he dialed 911,but it went to the California Highway Patrol,many delays ,he got through to his sister and she called for him,to late for him,died right at the front door,He said to his sister that he didn't want to bother his nieghbors.

Answer 8

Good question. I live on my own and have wondered what I would do in the same situation. Hope you find the right answer.

Answer 9

They offer those courses through hospitals and fire departments, I got mine in 1 day and it was 35 dollars.

Answer 10

some times you can get your work to pay for it if you put yourself forward for the first aider