RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Prospective Evaluation of Foreign Body Airway Obstruction Interventions Among Adults and Children

Choking is a very serious emergency that needs quick action. First aid often involves techniques like back blows or abdominal thrusts. Currently, guidelines suggest different methods for adults and children. This research aims to find out which choking treatments work best and are safest. Up until now, much of the information we have is quite old. This study will collect new, up-to-date information on real-life choking incidents in Alberta, Canada. The first part of the study is about setting up a way to gather this information properly. If successful, this will lead to a bigger study comparing the effectiveness and safety of various choking treatments, focusing on adults and children aged two and older.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Calgary

Enrolment target

Start

01 Nov 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2026

Foreign Body Airway Obstruction

What is this study about?

This research project is looking into something very important: how we help people who are choking. Choking, also known as Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (FBAO), is a medical emergency where something gets stuck in the windpipe, blocking breathing. It can be very dangerous and requires immediate help.

When someone chokes, first aid techniques like back blows (hitting someone on the back between their shoulder blades) or abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich manoeuvre) are often used. At the moment, first aid advice can be different depending on whether the person choking is an adult or a child. We want to make sure the advice given is the best and safest possible for everyone.

Historically, much of our knowledge about these choking treatments came from older reports. This study aims to gather new, detailed information about actual choking incidents in Alberta, Canada. By understanding what happens when people choke and what treatments are used, we can learn which methods are most helpful and cause the fewest problems. This first stage of the project is about making sure we can collect this information accurately and efficiently, mainly looking at adults and children aged two and older. It will pave the way for future research to directly compare the different types of first aid.

Key takeaways

Aims to improve choking first aid.
Collects real-life choking data in Canada.
Focuses on adults and children over 2 years old.
Compares different first aid techniques.
No direct patient participation required.
Information gathered will help save lives.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for people who:</p> <ul> <li>Are adults or children aged 2 years or older.</li> <li>Experienced a choking incident outside of a hospital in Alberta, Canada.</li> <li>Received help for choking from another person (a bystander or a healthcare worker) while they were still conscious.</li> <li>Were checked over by ambulance staff at the time or went to A&E afterwards because of the choking incident.</li> </ul> <p>You would not be able to be part of this study if you had an unusual airway (like a tracheostomy, which is a breathing tube in the neck) or if you were unconscious when the choking help was first given.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Were you, or the person concerned, an adult or a child over 2 years old?
Did the choking incident happen outside of a hospital in Alberta, Canada?
Did someone help with the choking (like first aid) while the person was still conscious?
Did ambulance staff attend, or did the person go to A&E afterwards?
Did the person not have an unusual airway like a breathing tube in their neck?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study is about collecting information from past and present choking incidents, rather than people actively taking part in new treatments. You wouldn't need to attend any appointments, take any medication, or have any follow-up visits. Instead, researchers will be gathering details about choking incidents that have already happened or are currently happening in Alberta, Canada, from records. So, there is no direct participation or time commitment required from individuals.

Potential risks and benefits

This study does not involve any direct medical interventions or changes to your care, so there are no direct physical risks to participants. The main benefit is that the information gathered will help us understand and improve first aid guidelines for choking, potentially saving lives in the future. As this is observational research based on existing records, individuals are not actively enrolled in a way where they would "withdraw" in the traditional sense, but patient data privacy is always protected.

Locations (1)

Virtual
Verified postcode
Calgary, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is choking?

Choking happens when food or another object gets stuck in your windpipe, blocking your breathing. It's a medical emergency.

What kind of first aid treatments are being looked at?

The study is looking at common first aid treatments like back blows (hitting someone on the back), abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich manoeuvre), and chest thrusts.

Why is this study important?

It's important because it will help us find out which choking treatments work best and are safest, so we can improve first aid guidelines and potentially save lives.

Who is this study for?

This study is gathering information about choking incidents that happened to adults and children over 2 years old in Alberta, Canada.

Do I need to do anything to take part?

No, if you or a family member had a choking incident that fits the study criteria, your information might be included from medical records, but you don't need to actively do anything or attend appointments.

How to find out more

Cody Dunne, MD

cody.dunne@ucalgary.ca 1-403-944-1818 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.