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How to Handle Perform a Tracheotomy Step by Step

When perform a tracheotomy leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Assessing Someone Who Is Choking

Look for classic signs of choking.

Someone who is choking may display the following symptoms:

Someone who is choking may display the following symptoms:
Someone who is choking may display the following symptoms:
Someone who is choking may display the following symptoms:
Someone who is choking may display the following symptoms:
Someone who is choking may display the following symptoms:

Understand the Red Cross recommendations for a person who is choking.

These include alternating between five "back blows" and five "abdominal thrusts" (also known as the Heimlich maneuver), repeating the cycle until the object is dislodged, emergency personnel arrive, or the victim becomes unconscious due to lack of oxygen.

These include alternating between five "back blows" and five "abdominal thrusts" (also known as the Heimlich maneuver), repeating the cycle until the object is dislodged, emergency personnel arrive, or the victim becomes unconscious due to lack of oxygen.
These include alternating between five "back blows" and five "abdominal thrusts" (also known as the Heimlich maneuver), repeating the cycle until the object is dislodged, emergency personnel arrive, or the victim becomes unconscious due to lack of oxygen.
These include alternating between five "back blows" and five "abdominal thrusts" (also known as the Heimlich maneuver), repeating the cycle until the object is dislodged, emergency personnel arrive, or the victim becomes unconscious due to lack of oxygen.
These include alternating between five "back blows" and five "abdominal thrusts" (also known as the Heimlich maneuver), repeating the cycle until the object is dislodged, emergency personnel arrive, or the victim becomes unconscious due to lack of oxygen.
These include alternating between five "back blows" and five "abdominal thrusts" (also known as the Heimlich maneuver), repeating the cycle until the object is dislodged, emergency personnel arrive, or the victim becomes unconscious due to lack of oxygen.

Part 2

Performing Abdominal Thrusts

Reach around the victim from behind.

Circle your hands around the victim's abdomen (stomach).

Circle your hands around the victim's abdomen (stomach).
Circle your hands around the victim's abdomen (stomach).
Circle your hands around the victim's abdomen (stomach).
Circle your hands around the victim's abdomen (stomach).
Circle your hands around the victim's abdomen (stomach).

Continue to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

Do this as long as the person maintains some breathing sounds (including gasping, choking, or any audible air motion).

Do this as long as the person maintains some breathing sounds (including gasping, choking, or any audible air motion).
Do this as long as the person maintains some breathing sounds (including gasping, choking, or any audible air motion).
Do this as long as the person maintains some breathing sounds (including gasping, choking, or any audible air motion).
Do this as long as the person maintains some breathing sounds (including gasping, choking, or any audible air motion).
Do this as long as the person maintains some breathing sounds (including gasping, choking, or any audible air motion).

Part 3

Performing the Tracheotomy

Call 911 before you begin.

Make sure that you call 911 before you begin to make sure that performing a tracheotomy is even necessary. The emergency response team may be nearby.

Make sure that you call 911 before you begin to make sure that performing a tracheotomy is even necessary.
The emergency response team may be nearby.
Make sure that you call 911 before you begin to make sure that performing a tracheotomy is even necessary.
The emergency response team may be nearby.
Make sure that you call 911 before you begin to make sure that performing a tracheotomy is even necessary.

Find the area over the cricothyroid membrane on the victim’s neck.

This is the soft spot on the throat where the incision will be made.

This is the soft spot on the throat where the incision will be made.
This is the soft spot on the throat where the incision will be made.
This is the soft spot on the throat where the incision will be made.
This is the soft spot on the throat where the incision will be made.
This is the soft spot on the throat where the incision will be made.

Make a half-inch horizontal cut about a half-inch deep.

Just below your cut, you'll see the cricothyroid membrane (it is a yellowish elastic membrane located between the surrounding layers of cartilage). Make an incision on the membrane itself. The depth of the puncture should be just sufficient to gain access to the airway.

Just below your cut, you'll see the cricothyroid membrane (it is a yellowish elastic membrane located between the surrounding layers of cartilage).
Make an incision on the membrane itself.
The depth of the puncture should be just sufficient to gain access to the airway.
Just below your cut, you'll see the cricothyroid membrane (it is a yellowish elastic membrane located between the surrounding layers of cartilage).
Make an incision on the membrane itself.

Maintain the opening to facilitate breathing.

Do this by placing a straw tube 2 inches (5.1 cm) into the trachea.

Do this by placing a straw tube 2 inches (5.1 cm) into the trachea.
Do this by placing a straw tube 2 inches (5.1 cm) into the trachea.
Do this by placing a straw tube 2 inches (5.1 cm) into the trachea.
Do this by placing a straw tube 2 inches (5.1 cm) into the trachea.
Do this by placing a straw tube 2 inches (5.1 cm) into the trachea.

Administer two breaths through the breathing tube.

These should last approximately one second each. Hopefully, the victim will begin breathing on her own (you will see her chest rise and fall if she is breathing on her own).

These should last approximately one second each.
Hopefully, the victim will begin breathing on her own (you will see her chest rise and fall if she is breathing on her own).
These should last approximately one second each.
Hopefully, the victim will begin breathing on her own (you will see her chest rise and fall if she is breathing on her own).
These should last approximately one second each.

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