The ideal technique for an infant's back slaps involves how many slaps?

In the context of performing back slaps on an infant experiencing choking, the recommended technique is to administer a series of five back slaps. This approach is guided by protocols designed to help dislodge an object obstructing the airway effectively.

The rationale behind five back slaps is that it provides enough force to potentially remove the obstruction while minimizing the risk of causing injury. Each slap is delivered with controlled force between the shoulder blades, utilizing the heel of the hand. This method is part of a comprehensive sequence of maneuvers that includes both back slaps and chest thrusts, ensuring a balanced approach to airway management for infants.

Using fewer than five slaps, such as one or three, may not deliver enough force to effectively clear the airway, whereas suggesting an excessive number like ten slaps could lead to unnecessary harm or fatigue in the rescuer. Thus, adhering to the five back slap guideline ensures a safe and efficient response to blocked airways in infants.