Un bambino si è strozzato!

A child is choking!

Pronunciation

strot-TSA-to — three syllables. 'Str' cluster + 'ozzato'. 'Strozzare' = to choke/strangle.

When to use it

Shout this if a child is choking. For complete airway obstruction (cannot breathe, cannot cough, no sound), perform back blows and Heimlich immediately. Then call 118.

What it means

'Si è strozzato' = has choked (reflexive passato prossimo). 'Strozzare' means to choke or strangle. For infants: 5 back blows ('colpi sulla schiena'), then 5 chest thrusts ('spinte toraciche'). For children/adults: 5 back blows, then 5 abdominal thrusts ('manovra di Heimlich'). If the child can cough, encourage coughing — partial obstruction.

Variations

Ha ingoiato qualcosa. Non riesce a respirare.

He swallowed something. He cannot breathe.

Complete choking — act immediately, call 118 while helping

Faccio la manovra di Heimlich?

Should I do the Heimlich manoeuvre?

Ask the dispatcher to confirm for adults and children over 1 year

Ha ingoiato una moneta.

He swallowed a coin.

Foreign body ingestion — call 118, may or may not be obstructing airway

Mini Dialogue

— Un bambino si è strozzato! Ha due anni e sta diventando blu! — Sta ancora emettendo suoni? — No! Non respira! — Lo metta a pancia in giù sul suo avambraccio. Cinque colpi decisi tra le scapole. — Fatto! — Ha funzionato? — Sì! Ha tossito qualcosa! Respira! — Ottimo! L'ambulanza viene comunque per controllarlo.

— A child is choking! He is two years old and turning blue! — Is he still making any sounds? — No! He is not breathing! — Lay him face down on your forearm. Five firm blows between the shoulder blades. — Done! — Did it work? — Yes! He coughed something out! He is breathing! — Excellent! The ambulance is still coming to check him.

Cultural Note

Choking ('soffocamento') is one of the leading causes of accidental death in Italian children under 3. Italian paediatric guidelines follow European Resuscitation Council recommendations. Back blows are preferred over Heimlich for infants. Italian first aid courses ('corsi di primo soccorso') now routinely include paediatric choking management. After any choking episode in a child, a medical evaluation is recommended even if the child seems fine.

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