Question 1607 Deck Safety

The correct answer is A) allow the person to continue coughing and dislodge the obstruction on his own. The reasoning behind this is that in a case of a partial airway obstruction, the person is still able to cough and breathe, which indicates the airway is not completely blocked. Coughing is the body's natural reflex to try and clear the obstruction, so allowing the person to continue coughing is the best course of action. Performing the Heimlich maneuver or other interventions could actually worsen the obstruction, so they should be avoided in this situation. Only if the person becomes unable to cough or breathe should you then proceed to more aggressive measures like the Heimlich.