How to Do the Heimlich Maneuver

Choking because of an obstructed airway is a leading cause of accidental death. If a choking person is not coughing or is unable to speak, that's your cue to perform the Heimlich maneuver immediately. Here are a few steps to help save a choking victim.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• First Aid Kits
• First Aid Books
• First Aid Classes

1. Ask the choking person to stand if he or she is sitting.

2. 

   Place yourself slightly behind the standing victim.

3. Reassure the victim that you know the Heimlich maneuver and are going to help.

4. 

   Place your arms around the victim's waist.

5. 

   Make a fist with one hand and place your thumb toward the victim, just above his or her belly button.

6. 

   Grab your fist with your other hand.

7. 

   Deliver five upward squeeze-thrusts into the abdomen.

8. Make each squeeze-thrust strong enough to dislodge a foreign body.

9. Understand that your thrusts make the diaphragm move air out of the victim's lungs, creating a kind of artificial cough.

10. Keep a firm grip on the victim, since he or she can lose consciousness and fall to the ground if the Heimlich maneuver is not effective.

11. Repeat the Heimlich maneuver until the foreign body is expelled.

Tips & Warnings

• If a victim is coughing strongly or able to talk, let the person try to expel the foreign body using his or her own efforts.
• If the choking victim displays a weak or ineffective cough, this indicates that air exchange is minimal and that you should start the Heimlich maneuver.
• Teach your family the universal choking sign--clutching the throat. Encourage everyone you know to become familiar with this sign and use it when choking.
• To avoid breaking bones, never place your hands on the victim's breastbone or lower rib cage when performing the Heimlich maneuver.
• If choking persists, call 911 immediately. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[savemylife]

on 2/28/2009 Twice I have performed the Heimlich Maneuver on myself and restored breathing both times. I believe I discovered a new method and should be credited with the discovery. I've sent EMs to Oprah, Dr. Oz, The TV Doctors and JAMA and not one has responded to me. I am not a doctor. I read where 7,000 people die annually from Asphyxia (choking). I know that a person can live for 2-7 minutes after stoppage occurs, however most people panic and go unconscious almost immediately.I have used my method twice and it works. I do not wish to disclose it for fear that somebody else will call it their idea. I would like to know how I can protect my idea. I am retired on SS and don't have much money.

[swissbird]

on 12/16/2008 While a first aid course is certainly recommended, I have to say this isn't rocket science....my husband saved my life this very morning and we had only viewed the heimlich in passing, so it was experimental and thank goodness the offending pill (which decided to lodge itself horizontally in my thoat cutting off my air supply), popped right out after 3 tries. DO make sure EVERYONE in your family knows this maneuver and do practice on each other.

[pksnn]

on 6/9/2008 Should I not be actually trained by a paramedic or first aid trainer? How do I assume I know the procedure merely by reading what is given in your narrative?

[jonnypc123]

on 3/14/2008 If someone really wants to know how to do the heimlich maneuver, classes are your best bet to get practice and learn the exact way to do it. This way your not learning while someones choking, they may not have time for you to figure it out correctly.

[jonnypc123]

on 3/14/2008 If someone really wants to learn the heimlich maneuver, you should really take classes to learn it 100% correctly. Also it's probably better to look up a known medical web site to learn this type of information. But taking classes is the best way to go.