Ads
related to: first aid for chokingAwesome First Aid Choking & High Quality Here On Temu. New Users Enjoy Free Return. Come and check First Aid Choking at a surprisingly low price, you'd never want to miss it.
Enjoy Discounts & Hottest Sales On Choking Aid. Limited Offer. Shop Now! Best Deals On Choking Aid.
Search results
May 24, 2024 · Infant. To clear the airway of a choking infant younger than age 1: Sit and hold the infant facedown on your forearm. Rest your forearm on your thigh. Hold the infant's chin and jaw to support the head. Place the head lower than the trunk. Thump the infant gently but firmly five times on the middle of the back.
Choking First Aid (1 Year and Older) When food or some other foreign object becomes stuck in the airway it can cause choking. Choking prevents oxygen from getting to the lungs and the brain. Lack of oxygen to the brain for more than 4 minutes may cause brain damage or death.
Download the FREE Red Cross First Aid App. The free First Aid mobile app by the American Red Cross puts expert advice for common emergencies in the palm of your hand—from the latest First Aid and CPR techniques to the nearest hospital location. Stay up to date on your lifesaving skills. iOS App, Google Play, or text "GETFIRST" to 90999.
Apr 19, 2022 · 1. Give Back Blows. Give up to 5 blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. 2. If Person Is Still Choking, Do Thrusts. If the person is not pregnant or too obese, do abdominal ...
- Overview
- Procedure Details
- Risks / Benefits
- Additional Common Questions
The Heimlich maneuver is a first-aid method for choking that you can use on adults and children. Another name for the Heimlich maneuver is abdominal thrusts, because it involves thrusting into the abdominal area. It’s a quick and life-saving method, but you should only use it on conscious people who can’t breathe on their own.
Contents
Arrow Down
OverviewProcedure DetailsRisks / BenefitsAdditional Common Questions
Contents
Arrow Down
When should you use the Heimlich maneuver?
You should use the Heimlich maneuver if a person is conscious and choking. You can usually tell a person is choking if they can’t speak, breathe or cough. Ask the person, “Are you choking?” They may be able to cough but can’t speak to ask for help. Sometimes, their breathing and speaking become weaker and weaker until only gasping sounds come out. People often use the universal choking symbol — holding your hands up and clutching your throat. If a person is able to speak, cough or breathe, don’t attempt the Heimlich maneuver. Encourage the person to keep coughing. Sometimes a strong cough can free the foreign object. Only perform the Heimlich maneuver if a person’s life is in danger.
How do you perform the Heimlich maneuver?
To perform the Heimlich maneuver, follow these steps: Stand behind the person and put your arms around their belly (abdomen). Make a fist with one hand and clasp your other hand tightly around it. Place the thumb side of your fist just below their ribcage and about two inches above their belly button (navel). Sharply and quickly thrust your hands inward and upward five times. Repeat this process until you free (dislodge) the object stuck in their windpipe, or the person becomes unconscious. If the person becomes unconscious, start CPR. Advertisement
Can you perform the Heimlich maneuver on toddlers and children?
You can perform the Heimlich maneuver on toddlers and children. If the child is younger than 5 years old or weighs less than 45 pounds (20 kilograms), you should alter the method slightly. First, you should kneel behind the child to get down to their level. Then, you should use less forceful thrusts than the typical Heimlich maneuver requires.
What are the risks of the Heimlich maneuver?
Healthcare providers consider the Heimlich maneuver a safe and quick method to save lives. You don’t have to have any medical knowledge or training to perform the Heimlich maneuver. But if you don’t perform the Heimlich maneuver correctly, you can do serious harm. If you aren’t able to dislodge the foreign object after the first few sets of thrusts, problems can occur. The most common complications of the Heimlich maneuver are broken ribs and holes in the gastrointestinal tract. Other rare abdominal complications can happen, but in a life-or-death situation, providers still recommend performing the Heimlich maneuver.
How can I prevent my child from choking?
Young children are at a high risk of choking. To prevent your child from choking: Keep small objects and other hazards out of their reach. Cut their food into small pieces. Be especially careful with round foods, like hot dogs, nuts and grapes. Don’t let them have hard candy. Supervise your child while they’re eating and playing. A note from Cleveland Clinic When someone can’t breathe because of a blockage (obstruction) in their upper airway, seconds count. You could save a life by performing the Heimlich maneuver. You don’t have to have any medical training to perform it, but it’s a good idea to know the steps in case the situation ever arises. You may even need to use it on yourself one day. The Heimlich maneuver can be a life-saving rescue technique, but you should only use it if the person can’t breathe and they’re still conscious. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 02/13/2024. Learn more about our editorial process.
Dec 14, 2021 · In the early 1970s, Henry J. Heimlich, MD, developed a first aid technique for choking, known as the Heimlich maneuver. Dr. Heimlich developed this tool, also called abdominal thrusts, after reading an article about accidental deaths. He was shocked to learn that choking was a leading cause of death, especially in children under 3 years of age.
Aug 26, 2022 · If you begin choking, seek help as soon as possible. This may involve alerting people around you. They should then call emergency services and perform emergency first aid, such as the Heimlich maneuver. Sometimes, forceful coughs or striking your own chest can help dislodge an item that is blocking your airways.
