Heimlich maneuver

Heimlich maneuver is a first aid procedure used to treat upper airway obstructions (or choking) by foreign objects. The term Heimlich maneuver is named after Dr. Henry Heimlich, who first described it in 1974.

Procedure

A choking person's airway may be blocked so that not enough oxygen reaches the lungs. Without oxygen, brain damage can occur in as little as 4 to 6 minutes. Rapid first aid for choking can save a person's life.

The Heimlich maneuver is an emergency technique for preventing suffocation when a person's airway becomes blocked by a piece of food or other object. It can be used safely on both adults and children, but most experts do not recommend it for infants less than 1 year old. You can also perform the maneuver on yourself.

Steps

1. Stand behind the person. Wrap your arms around the waist. Tip the person forward slightly.
2. Make a fist with one hand. Position it slightly above the person's navel.
3. Grasp the fist with the other hand. Press hard into the abdomen with a quick, upward thrust — as if trying to lift the person up.
4. Perform a total of 5 abdominal thrusts, if needed. If the blockage still isn't dislodged, repeat the Heimlich maneuver.

Risks

Although the Heimlich maneuver is a life-saving technique, it is not without its risks. These include broken ribs and damage to internal organs. The maneuver should only be used when a person is choking and their life is in danger.

See also

• First aid
• Choking
• CPR

References

Heimlich maneuver Resources
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