How to Do the Heimlich Maneuver on an Unconscious Adult

If a person begins to choke and his or her airway becomes blocked, the Heimlich maneuver can save the victim's life, even if he or she is unconscious.

Things You'll Need

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

Instructions

1. Shout very loudly so that someone can hear you. Ask whomever comes to help to dial 911.

2. 

   Lay the choking victim prone, with his or her back against the floor. Straddle the choking victim's body directly above the knees.

3. 

   Place the heel of one hand on top of your other hand. Intertwine the fingers of your top hand with the fingers of your bottom hand.

4. Keep your bottom hand (the one pressing against the victim) open, palm-side against the victim.

5. 

   Position your hands in the middle of the victim's torso, between the belly button and breastbone.

6. Administer a series of five firm upward thrusts. Do not thrust straight downward or you may cause injury to the aorta.

7. 

   Open the airway by grasping the victim's tongue and lower jaw, and look inside the mouth for any sign of a dislodged foreign body. See something? Use your index finger to sweep it out.

8. 

   Listen for breathing. Watch for the chest to rise and fall. Look carefully, as the victim's breaths may be shallow.

9. 

   Pinch the nostrils closed and place your mouth over the victim's mouth.

10. Breathe into the mouth and watch to see if chest rises and falls. If it doesn't, the airway is still blocked.

11. Repeat the abdominal thrusts if you can't hear breathing or see chest movement.

Tips & Warnings

• If no one is around to help, it's difficult to know when to leave the unconscious victim to call 911. When in doubt, call 911 first, but return to the victim as quickly as you can.

• If you're successful in dislodging a foreign body from a choking victim's airway and the victim begins breathing unassisted, carefully roll the person onto his or her side. This way, if the victim should start to throw up, the vomit won't cause more choking.

• If you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.