HEIMLICH MANEUVER

How to perform Heimlich Maneuver?

Heimlich Maneuver is performed when the upper airway is block by a foreign object, it is also know as Abdominal Thrusts.

The universal sign for someone is choking is that grabbing the throat with one or two hands. Do not perform is the victim coughing forcefully and able to speak this is a mild choking. While the other one is severe choking when the victim is unable to speak.

1. Lean the person and perform five back blows.

2. Stand behind the person, and put your arms around their abdomen.

3. Make a fist with one hand, and clasp your other hand tightly around it.

4. Place the thumb side of your fist just below their ribcage and about two inches above their belly button (navel).

5. Sharply and quickly thrust your hands inward and upward five times.

6. Repeat this process until the object is freed (dislodged) or the person becomes unconscious. If the person becomes unconscious, start CPR.

Performing Heimlich Maneuver on children

To perform the heimlich maneuver on children: The rescuer should kneel behind the child to get down to their level. Then, they should use less forceful thrusts than the typical Heimlich maneuver requires. To perform the heimlich maneuver on babies, follow these steps:

1. Turn the infant face down with their chest resting on your forearm. Make sure their head is lower than their body.

2. Using the heel of your hand, strike the infant between their shoulder blades five times. The strikes should be firm but not so hard that you cause injury.

3. Check the infant’s mouth and remove any visible objects.

4. If their airway remains blocked, turn the infant face up with their head down. Using your second and third fingers, give five inward and upward chest thrusts about ½ to 1½ inches into the infant’s breastbone (sternum).

5. Check the infant’s mouth for visible objects again. Repeat this process until the object is freed (dislodged) or the infant becomes unconscious. If the infant becomes unconscious, start CPR.