What is the immediate treatment for suspected foreign body aspiration?

The immediate treatment for suspected foreign body aspiration focuses on the body's natural reflexes to clear the airway. Encouraging coughing is particularly effective when the airway is only partially obstructed and the individual is still able to breathe, talk, or cough. Coughing is the body's primary defense mechanism to expel foreign objects from the respiratory tract and can help dislodge the object without the need for invasive procedures.

In cases where the obstruction is severe, the situation is more critical, and other interventions would be necessary, such as the Heimlich maneuver or medical assistance. Notably, the other options do not directly address the need to clear an obstruction. First aid training is beneficial for general preparedness but does not offer immediate assistance during an episode. Encouraging a victim to drink water could potentially worsen the situation by causing further obstruction. Administering tranquilizers would impair the respiratory drive and is contraindicated when dealing with an obstruction.