While eating one’s meal is usually a safe affair, sometimes things can take a deadly turn when food goes down the wrong passage, causing the person to choke on it.
An elderly man in Terengganu sadly lost his life after he reportedly choked to death while having breakfast yesterday (May 21).
70yo M’sian man dies after allegedly choking on his breakfast
The tragedy was confirmed by Kemaman district police chief Superintendent Mohd Razi Rosli when contacted by Buletin TV3.
According to him, the 9.50am incident transpired when the victim, 70-year-old Mohd Abdullah, allegedly choked on his food while having breakfast.
His son then proceeded to make an emergency call to the Kemasek Health Clinic, where a medical team was dispatched to the scene and administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the victim.
Unfortunately, the victim didn’t survive and was later pronounced dead by the medical team at 10.30am.
Mohd Razi added the victim had a history of asthma and high blood pressure and that a post-mortem will be carried out to determine the exact cause of death.
How to help someone who’s choking
One of the most common methods is the Heimlich maneuver, which can be done through the following steps:
- Stand behind the person and put your arms around their belly (abdomen).
- Make a fist with one hand and clasp your other hand tightly around it.
- Place the thumb side of your fist just below their ribcage and about two inches above their belly button (navel).
- Sharply and quickly thrust your hands inward and upward five times.
- Repeat this process until you free (dislodge) the object stuck in their windpipe, or the person becomes unconscious. If the person becomes unconscious, start CPR.
Remember, sometimes acting quickly can save a person’s life!
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