Heimlich Maneuver: How to perform abdominal thrust to rescue from choking

Choking can be fatal

Chocking can kill. So call 911 emergency medical services even if you know Heimlich maneuver. Choking is usually caused by food or an object stuck in the windpipe. The universal sign for choking is clutching his or her throat with both hands. If the person can cough get him cough until the choking piece comes out. Ask him if he is choking and if he answers, the obstruction is only partial and allow him to cough it out. If the material is not coming out and person cannot talk or cough any more and becomes pale, call for immediate help. The current well accepted practice is to perform a Heimlich Maneuver, a choking rescue procedure, on the choking person. Heimlich Maneuver is also called abdominal thrusts. Do not perform this procedure (Heimlich Maneuver) unless you are sure that the person is chocking. This procedure may be performed while the 911 emergency help arrives. Heimlich Maneuver procedure is performed as below:

Heimlich Maneuver to rescue a choking person

You stand behind the choking individual and wrap your arms around his or her waist. When you wrap around your arms, make sure that you make a fist with one hand. The thumb side of your fist should be pressing the upper part of the abdomen. In other words, when you make the fist with the first hand and press the abdomen, your thumb should be toward the victim. The other arm should be covering the fist so that you can apply good pressure. The fist should be just above the belly button. Make sure that your fist is well below the tip of the breast bone, or else you might break it in the process. It may be a better idea to keep one of your legs between the legs of the victim, so that if the victim looses consciousness, he or she will be supported.

Now with both hands in place, give a quick upward thrust into the abdomen. Keep doing this procedure, Heimlich maneuver, until the choking piece comes out and the victim begins to breath.

While you start the procedure some one can call emergency (911) as a backup help. This is because choking can be fatal, and if your effort is not successful, professional help should be on the way.

When Heimlich maneuver is performed on a child less force may be used to avoid breaking bones or damaging internal organs.

Performing Heimlich maneuver on yourself.

If you have to perform Heimlich maneuver on yourself, you can make a fist with one hand, place the other hand on the fist and try to perform the procedure. If the material is not coming out stand against a table or hand railing and push your upper abdomen up against it. The key is providing a quick upward thrust so that diaphragm pushes up quickly and the upward pressure created in the windpipe pushes the material out.

Heimlich Maneuver on adult lying down or unconscious.

If the victim is laying and cannot reach around the back, let victim lay on back. Sit facing the victim, keep your hands one over the other and elbows straight. Give four upward abdominal thrusts or repeat the procedure until the object is coughed out.

Henry Heimlich and Heimlich Institute.

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Henry J Heimlich, a creative medical scientist, invented the Heimlich Maneuver and received Lasker Award in 1984. “In 1974, Dr. Heimlich published findings on what was to become the Heimlich Maneuver. A week later, the first choking victim was saved by the method. Since its introduction, the Heimlich Maneuver has saved over 50,000 people in the United States alone from choking or drowning.” Says Heimlich Institute Web site. Heimlich Institute was started in the 1960s with the mission “Benefiting Humanity Through Health and Peace”

American Heart Association recommendation of Heimlich Maneuver or abdominal thrusts.
The following is the recommendation of the American Heart Association: “Abdominal thrusts (also known as the “Heimlich maneuver” (HIM'lik mah-NOO'ver) are a series of under-the-diaphragm abdominal thrusts. They’re recommended for helping a person who's choking on a foreign object (foreign-body airway obstruction). To simplify training of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, abdominal thrusts are recommended for rescuers to use in clearing a blocked airway in conscious adults and children over the age of 1. It's not recommended for choking in infants under age 1.”

Prevent Choking.

Choking can prevent oxygen supply to the body and kill the person. So try to prevent any choking incident. Do not put large pieces of food in the mouth. Do not try to swallow without chewing well. Do not let children play with toys that can cause choking. Be careful when children eat popcorn.

Disclaimer: The above material is only for information and educational purpose and some information may change with advancement of knowledge. Do not use this information to treat any medical condition. If you suspect a medical condition, consult a registered medical practitioner.