Heimlich Maneuver

How to do Heimlich Maneuver

We usually do heimlich maneuver to someone who is choking. Signs of choking would be: the person is clutching their throat with both hands and has difficulty breathing. Here's the step on how we should do Heimlich Maneuver:

1. Ask the victim "Are you choking?" I know, you have this feeling to do "the good samaritan move" but it would be embarrassing if you'll start doing the maneuver and the person does not need it.
2. If the victim is coughing and talking let him/her expel the foreign object on their own efforts.
3. If the victim displays a weak or ineffective cough it would indicate that air exchange is minimal, then you can start the HM
4.Ask the victim to stand if he/she is sitting
5. Stand slightly behind the victim
6. Tell the victim that you know HM and will help him/her
7. Place your arms around the victims waist
8. Make a fist with one hand and place your thumb toward the victim, just above his or her belly button, then grab fist with your other hand
9. Deliver five upward squeeze-thrusts into the abdomen.
**Make each squeeze-thrust strong enough to dislodge a foreign body. Understand that your thrusts make the diaphragm move air out of the victim's lungs, creating a kind of artificial cough.

**Keep a firm grip on the victim, since he or she can lose consciousness and fall to the ground if the Heimlich maneuver is not effective.

10. Repeat the Heimlich maneuver until the foreign body is expelled
11. If choking persists, call the hospital immediately, or go to the nearest emergency room in your area.
*note that this is not meant for neonates