Last Updated On: November 29, 2024
The Heimlich maneuver involves performing inward and upward abdominal thrusts above the nave to remove a foreign object from a person’s airway. Choking can turn a normal day into a critical emergency. It’s the fourth leading cause of unintentional death. Would you know what to do if someone cannot breathe? The Heimlich maneuver is a simple technique that everyone must know. It is easy to learn and can save a life when it matters the most. Let us assess the Heimlich Maneuver Guide here below to perform the technique better:
The steps that you need to perform a Heimlich maneuver depend on who you are helping:
Irrespective of whom you perform the maneuver on, that person must get medical help afterward. This helps ensure that there is no physical damage to their throat or airways.
Read the steps below to know how to perform Heimlich on a pregnant woman:
Choking emergency is scary, especially when it involves a parent or caregiver. Babies are curious and often put objects in their mouths. When there are babies involved, it is best to know the process and perform it timely and effectively.
Here are steps to perform the Heimlich maneuver on an infant:
If you are alone and choking, follow these steps:
The Heimlich maneuver is a lifesaving technique but is not always the right choice for saving a choking victim. If you use it at the wrong time, it can be harmful.
Here is when you should not use the Heimlich maneuver:
To perform a Heimlich maneuver properly, you must know what is choking. It occurs when a piece of food, an object, or a liquid blocks the throat. Children choke when a foreign object gets obstructed into their mouths. Adults can choke from breathing in fumes or when eating too fast.
Most people choke at some point in their lives. It is short-lived and does not pose any danger. Choking can be dangerous and can be life-threatening. A person who is choking may cough continuously until they remove the food or liquid. A person who is choking may find it difficult to:
Children choke when there are objects in their mouth. They do this out of curiosity. Here are common objects that children choke on:
Adults choke when swallowing food without chewing properly or when laughing while eating or drinking.
When someone is choking, you may see the following signs:
As babies cannot signal that they are choking, some of the symptoms may be different. A baby is choking if:
Use the Red Cross ‘five-and-five’ method to treat a person who is choking.
Hit the person’s back with the heel of your hand five times between the shoulder blades. Next, perform the maneuver five times. Alternate between the two until the person is no longer choking. Do not perform the five-and-five method on a child. You must only give a child the Heimlich maneuver.
The complications include throat irritation, throat damage, and death from asphyxiation.
You can prevent your child from choking by keeping their play area free of small objects such as erasers, coins, and building blocks. Make sure you chop your child’s food into small pieces. This makes it easier for them to swallow. Discourage your child from talking while eating. Make sure that your child chews well while eating, and keep water handy to prevent choking.
You should seek emergency help as soon as you suspect acute UAO or acute upper airway obstruction. This includes the nose, throat, and trachea. The symptoms may vary, but some are common no matter what caused your obstruction.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of an obstruction:
The Heimlich maneuver is a lifesaving first aid method to treat someone who’s choking. It uses quick and hard thrusts with the fists on their abdomen to force stuck objects out of the airway. The Heimlich is only for people over 12 months old and pets who are conscious and choking. You can also perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself. This Heimlich Maneuver Guide helps you learn the common techniques to prepare yourself for choking emergencies.
What is the Heimlich maneuver used for?
The Heimlich maneuver is used to help someone who is choking on something stuck in their airway. It works by forcing air from their lungs to push the object out and clear the blockage.
What do you do if someone is choking?
First, check if they’re choking by asking if they can breathe or speak. If they can cough, encourage them to keep coughing to clear the airway. If not, call 911 or have someone else call. Next, stand behind the person, bend them forward slightly, and deliver five firm back blows between their shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If the object still doesn’t come out, wrap your arms around their waist and perform abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) by pulling inward and upward just below the ribcage. Alternate between back blows and thrusts until the airway is clear.
What’s the difference between CPR and the Heimlich maneuver?
The Heimlich maneuver is used for someone who is choking but still conscious. CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is for someone who is unconscious and not breathing. CPR focuses on chest compressions and rescue breaths to keep blood and oxygen flowing when the heart and lungs stop working.
What’s the BLS Heimlich maneuver?
The term “BLS Heimlich maneuver” is another way to describe the Heimlich maneuver as part of basic life support (BLS) techniques. It’s a quick, simple method to help remove a blockage from someone’s airway and prevent choking.
Does the Heimlich maneuver work?
Yes, it’s very effective in helping someone who is choking. When done correctly, it can save lives. However, if performed improperly, there’s a risk of injury, so it’s important to use the right technique.
Also read: CPR Certification: Why Should Babysitters Get Certified?
Also read: Recognizing Signs Of Respiratory Distress
