When someone is choking, it's important to know what to do. The Heimlich (abdominal pressure) maneuver is an emergency technique that can save lives in seconds. This maneuver is an action needed to remove food or other objects from the respiratory tract of a person who is choking because it puts pressure on the stomach and chest so that the object that clogs is thrown out.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Performing Heimlich on a Standing Person
Step 1. Verify if the person is choking
Choking victims usually hold their throats. If you see the gesture, look for other signs of choking. You should only do Heimlich on people who are choking. Look for the following signs:
- Unable to breathe or breathing is hard and difficult.
- Can't speak
- Can't cough effectively
- Blue or gray lips and nails
- Loss of consciousness
Step 2. Say that you are going to do Heimlich
Tell the choking victim that you want to help him. Convey that you know how to perform the Heimlich maneuver and will do it to him.
Step 3. Wrap your arms around her waist
Stand with your feet apart to support your body. Wrap your arms around the victim's waist. Lean forward slightly.
Step 4. Position your hands
Hold one hand. Either hand doesn't matter. Place your clasped hands under the victim's ribs, but above the navel. Then, wrap the grip of the hand with the other hand.
Step 5. Pull the victim's body inward several times
Press and push the victim's body towards his stomach. Push in and up while pressing. Think of it as if you were going to lift him off the floor.
- Apply fast and strong pressure.
- Do five presses quickly. If the object has not yet exited, repeat five more times.
Step 6. Pat on the back
If the object does not come out with the Heimlich maneuver, pat the victim on the back. Give five claps with the heel of the hand. Look for the area between the shoulder blades.
Press hard because you'll need to use enough force to get the object out of the way. However, hold the power in your hands alone. Do not press on the area around the victim's ribs or abdomen
Step 7. Call for emergency help
Call emergency services if the object cannot get out. It's even better if you ask someone else for help after the first Heimlich flop and you're ready to give yourself a pat on the back. When emergency personnel arrive, they can remove the object. At that time, stay away from the victim.
Method 2 of 4: Performing Heimlich on a Lying Person
Step 1. Lie on the victim's back
If you can't wrap your arms around him or if he falls, stretch out on him. Gently instruct her to lie on her back and assist if necessary.
Step 2. Kneel on her hips
Position yourself on top of the victim. Kneel on his back, but don't sit on him.
Step 3. Position your hands
Lay your hands. Place the heel of the hand down on the victim's stomach. Find the area just below the ribs, but above the belly button.
Step 4. Press your hands on the victim's stomach
Using your body weight, press your hands into the victim's stomach in an upward motion. Keep pushing until the object is out of his throat.
Step 5. Call for emergency help
If you are unable to remove the object with Heimlich, call emergency services. If someone is choking and you can't help, the victim needs medical help. When medical personnel arrive, answer any questions and let them help the victim.
Method 3 of 4: Performing Heimlich on Babies
Step 1. Support the baby's body face down
To start, find a stable surface. Lay the baby on a stable surface with the face down. Make sure your head is tilted so you can breathe. Kneel by his feet.
You can also hold the baby in your lap with the head down
Step 2. Tap the back five times quickly
Use the heel of your hand. Give five back pats in the area between the baby's shoulder blades. The clapping is expected to remove objects quickly.
Especially for babies, give a firm pat, but not hard. Do not press too hard because it can hurt the baby. The back clap plus gravity is strong enough to eject objects
Step 3. Turn baby onto his back
If the object does not come out, turn the baby over. Support his head with your hands, making sure his head is slightly lower than his feet.
Step 4. Push the chest five times
Place your fingers under the baby's breastbone. Make sure your hands are in the middle of the sternum, not leaning to one side. Press five times in a series of chest thrusts. If you see an object sticking out, stop pushing.
Step 5. Call for emergency help if the object doesn't manage to get out
Call the emergency room immediately if the object blocking the baby's airway cannot be removed. While waiting, repeat back pats and chest thrusts. Looping while waiting might get the object out.
Method 4 of 4: Doing a Heimlich on Yourself
Step 1. Grasp one hand
To start, hold one hand firmly. Whichever hand you use doesn't matter.
Step 2. Press the clasped hands on the stomach
Place the thumb side against the stomach. Hands should be under the ribs, but above the navel. Wrap the grip of the hand with the other hand.
Step 3. Press your stomach
Press your hands on your stomach. Do this many times until the object is thrown out. Use a quick push in an upward direction.
Step 4. Visit a doctor
You should see a doctor after successfully removing the object. The doctor needs to make sure that there is no damage. You should also call emergency help or the emergency room if you are choking and unable to remove the object yourself.
Warning
- If you don't know what to do, call your local emergency services. They can guide you in handling the victim (tuned on loudspeaker).
- Choking can be life threatening. Be prepared to act immediately if someone chokes.
- Do not try to hit a choking victim on the back if he coughs. The victim coughing indicates that the airway is only partially closed and hitting the back can trigger a full block because the object will descend further. Let him cough or show signs of choking before you take action.
