How Do You Perform The Heimlich Maneuver?
Sometimes the difference between whether someone lives or dies, the Heimlich maneuver is something everyone should know. If someone were to choke, could you help him? This step-by-step guide will make sure you are prepared for this situation. Everyone hopes she will never need to perform the Heimlich maneuver, but just in case you do, you will be able to step in and potentially save someone’s life. Step 1 Ask the person if he is choking. If he shakes his head yes, then you need to prepare to perform the Heimlich maneuver. Step 2 Tell him you are coming up behind him to begin the Heimlich. Step 3 Wrap your arms around the choking person’s waist. Step 4 Make a fist with your dominant hand and place your opposite palm on top of that fist. Step 5 Push your hand in and up in a “J” motion underneath the sternum (where the chest bone finishes) to attempt to dislodge the blockage. Continue until the blockage has cleared and the person is able to breathe regularly.
• Determine if the person is a choking victim. A true choking victim will often have their hands around their throat and a desperate or panicked look on their face. They will not be able to breathe or speak, as they are suffering from complete airway obstruction (no air reaching their lungs). This means that they won’t be able to respond to you when you ask if they’re okay, or if they need help, other than nodding their head. Causes include food, trauma from injury or internal swelling from a severe allergic reaction. Look for the common symptoms of complete or total airway destruction:[1][2] • Cannot breathe, or is making obvious efforts to take in breaths with great difficulty (observe for any in-drawing of spaces between the ribs and above the collarbones) • Cannot speak effectively or at all • Noisy breathing • Inability to cough effectively • Blue or gray color to lips and fingernail beds, face is grayish, due to lack of oxygen • Clutching at throat with both hands (the universal
