This guide provides a comprehensive review of the Heimlich maneuver, an essential first aid technique for choking emergencies. It is based on information prepared by the Memorial Medical Editorial Board.
Short-Answer Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences based on the provided source material.
- What is the formal definition of the Heimlich maneuver and from whom does it get its name?
- Under what specific circumstances should the Heimlich maneuver be performed on a choking individual?
- What are the key signs that indicate a person is choking and requires immediate intervention with the Heimlich maneuver?
- In which two situations is the Heimlich maneuver explicitly not recommended?
- Describe the correct hand placement and motion for performing the Heimlich maneuver on a conscious adult.
- How does the application of the Heimlich maneuver differ for a pregnant person compared to a non-pregnant adult?
- Outline the procedure for an individual to perform the Heimlich maneuver on themselves.
- What is the recommended first-aid procedure for a choking infant under one year of age?
- How many times should the thrusts be administered, and what is the protocol for repeating the maneuver?
- What immediate actions should be taken if the Heimlich maneuver fails and the person loses consciousness?
Answer Key
- The Heimlich maneuver is an emergency first-aid method used to clear a blocked airway. It involves making a fist and applying a series of five inward and upward thrusts to the area between the navel and the bottom of the rib cage. The procedure is named after its creator, Henry Heimlich.
- The maneuver should be performed only when a choking person is conscious but cannot cough effectively, speak, cry, or laugh. If the person is able to cough forcefully, they should be encouraged to continue coughing, as this may dislodge the object naturally.
- The critical signs indicating a need for the Heimlich maneuver are the inability to breathe comfortably, a weak or ineffective cough, and difficulty speaking. Other indicators of this life-threatening situation include changes in the color of the skin, lips, and nails due to oxygen deprivation.
- The Heimlich maneuver must not be performed on an individual who has lost consciousness. It is also not recommended for infants under one year of age, for whom a different procedure involving back blows and chest thrusts is advised.
- To perform the maneuver, stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their abdomen. Make a fist with one hand and place it horizontally in the space between the person’s navel and rib cage. Grasp this fist with your other hand and deliver five forceful thrusts both inward and upward.
- For a pregnant person, pressure should not be applied to the abdomen. Instead, the thrusts must be applied to the breastbone (sternum) to avoid harming the fetus while still effectively clearing the airway.
- To self-administer the maneuver, a person should make a fist and place the thumb side on their upper abdomen, below the breastbone. They should then grasp the fist with their other hand and perform five inward and upward thrusts. Alternatively, they can use the corner of a table or the back of a chair to apply pressure to the same area.
- For an infant under one year old, the procedure is to place the baby face down on your forearm, ensuring their head is lower than their body. Using the heel of your hand, deliver five firm blows between their shoulder blades. After the back blows, check the mouth for any visible objects and remove them.
- The maneuver is performed in a series of five thrusts. After each series of five, the person’s condition should be checked to see if the foreign object has been expelled. The process should be repeated until the object is dislodged and the person can breathe easily again.
- If the maneuver is unsuccessful and the person becomes unconscious, basic life support should be initiated immediately. Emergency services (112) must be called to ensure professional help arrives quickly and the individual can be transported to an appropriate medical facility.
