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Heimlich For Adults
at 11:55AM, 1:55PM, and 3:55PM
You're in a restaurant enjoying a leisurely dinner. Suddenly, you
notice a woman nearby clutching her throat and gasping for air-she's
choking. While the situation may be terrifying, knowing what to
do and taking swift action can mean the difference between life
and death.
The Heimlich maneuver, introduced in 1974, has been declared "the
best rescue technique in any choking situation." Here's how it works:
The Heimlich Maneuver for CHOKING
1. From behind, wrap your arms around the victim's waist.
2. Make a fist and place the thumb side of your fist against the
victim's upper abdomen, below the ribcage and above the navel.
3. Grasp your fist with your other hand and press into their upper
abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Do not squeeze the ribcage;
confine the force of the thrust to your hands.
4. Repeat until object is expelled.
When You're The Victim
Follow these steps to save yourself from choking:
1. Make a fist and place the thumb side of your fist against your
upper abdomen, below the ribcage and above the navel.
2. Grasp your fist with your other hand and press into your upper
abdomen with a quick upward thrust.
3. Repeat until object is expelled.
Alternatively, you can lean over a fixed horizontal object (table
edge, chair, railing) and press your upper abdomen against the edge
to produce a quick upward thrust. Repeat until object is expelled.
When The Victim Is Unconscious or the Rescuer Can't Reach Around
Victim
Place the victim on his or her back. Facing the victim, kneel astride
the victim's hips. With one of your hands on top of the other, place
the heel of your bottom hand on the upper abdomen below the rib
cage and above the navel. Use your body weight to press into the
victim's upper abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Repeat until
object is expelled.
If the victim has not recovered, proceed with CPR.
The Heimlich Maneuver for ASTHMA
Perform the Heimlich maneuver on a person with an acute asthma
attack who hasn't responded to medication, or is unable to take
their medication
Follow these steps to help relieve an asthma attack:
1. If you are performing the maneuver on another, wrap your arms
around the victim's waist from behind.
2. Make a fist and place the thumb side of your fist against your
(the victim's) upper abdomen, below the ribcage and above the navel.
3. Grasp your fist with your other hand and press into your (the
victim's) upper abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Do not squeeze
the ribcage; confine the force of the thrust to your hands.
4. Repeat if necessary.
Alternatively, you can lean over a fixed horizontal object (table
edge, chair, railing) and press your upper abdomen against the edge
to produce a quick upward thrust. Repeat if necessary.
If the victim has not recovered, proceed with CPR.
The Heimlich Maneuver for DROWNING
Victim Lying on Ground
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