What is the Heimlich Maneuver?

Choking due to a foreign object becoming lodged in the throat is a situation that can commonly occur, especially in babies and children. This blockage prevents breathing by obstructing the airway, requiring quick intervention through first aid techniques. If not dealt with immediately, the foreign object in the throat can cause asphyxiation, leading to death. In such sudden situations, there is often no time to contact health services or wait for medical help to arrive. Therefore, knowing first aid techniques is crucial, as they can save lives in these scenarios. One of the essential first aid techniques everyone should be familiar with is the Heimlich maneuver, which removes the foreign object blocking the throat and clears the airway. This can save the patient’s life.

What is the Heimlich Maneuver?

 

The Heimlich maneuver is a first aid technique developed by Henry Heimlich in 1974 to remove foreign objects lodged in the throat. Prior to this, choking first aid involved only back blows, but it was found that the Heimlich maneuver was more effective in conscious patients. This led to a combination of back and abdominal thrusts being used in first aid. If a foreign object becomes lodged in the windpipe or throat and is not removed, it can block the airway and result in choking. This can occur in both children and adults at any time. In adults, choking often happens when a piece of food becomes stuck in the airway, while in children, it can be due to food or non-food items, such as small toys, being put into the mouth. Particularly in children under the age of three, who tend to put everything in their mouths, choking due to foreign objects is a significant risk. There is only a brief window for first aid before the lack of oxygen to the brain leads to irreversible damage. If the situation is not handled promptly, blood oxygen levels decrease, brain cells begin to die due to the lack of oxygen, and without intervention, the person will ultimately die. To be prepared for such an incident, every individual should learn about the life-saving Heimlich maneuver and be ready to perform it if necessary.

When Should the Heimlich Maneuver Be Used?

Choking can occur in adults, children, and babies if a foreign object enters the airway. The universal sign of choking, recognized by everyone, is when hands are clasped around the throat. For those unable to make this gesture or in infants and small children, important signs of choking include:

  • Inability to speak, make sounds, or breathe
  • Difficulty or noisy breathing
  • Wheezing sounds as the person tries to breathe
  • Weak or severe coughing
  • Changes in skin color, lips, and under the nails turning dark or blue
  • Reddening of the face, followed by a pale or bluish tint
  • Loss of consciousness

If a person shows signs of choking or indicates that they are choking, the bystander should be prepared to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver

Performing the Heimlich maneuver correctly and at the right moment is critical to saving a choking victim. If the person showing signs of choking can cough strongly, they should be encouraged to continue coughing. If they are unable to speak, respond, or breathe, the “five-and-five” approach is recommended:

  1. If the choking person is an adult, stand behind them; if it’s a child, kneel down. Place one arm across the person’s chest for support and have them lean forward so that the upper body is parallel to the ground. Deliver five firm back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand. If this does not dislodge the object, proceed to the Heimlich maneuver.
  2. To perform the Heimlich maneuver, stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their waist. Make a fist with one hand and place it slightly above the belly button and below the rib cage. Grasp the fist with the other hand. While the person remains slightly bent forward, perform five quick upward thrusts, pressing firmly into the abdomen as if trying to lift them upward. The goal is to force air from the lungs to expel the object.
  3. For pregnant or obese individuals, the hands should be positioned higher, just above the point where the lower ribs meet, rather than below the rib cage.
  4. If you are alone, perform five back blows followed by five abdominal thrusts before calling emergency services. If a second rescuer is present, emergency services should be called immediately.
  5. If the object is not dislodged, continue alternating between five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until the object is removed. If the person’s consciousness is lost, lay them on their back and begin basic life support. Standard CPR includes chest compressions and rescue breaths.

How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver on Infants

If a foreign object becomes lodged in the airway of a baby under the age of one, the following first aid steps should be taken:

  1. Sit down and place the infant face-down on your forearm, resting your forearm on your thigh. Support the baby’s head and neck with your hand, ensuring the head is lower than the chest.
  2. Deliver five gentle but firm back blows to the middle of the baby’s back using the heel of your hand. Keep your fingers pointing upward to avoid hitting the baby’s head.
  3. If the object is not expelled and the baby is still not breathing, turn the infant over so they are face-up on your forearm, with the head still lower than the chest. Use two fingers to apply five quick chest compressions on the breastbone.
  4. If breathing does not resume, call for medical help while continuing the cycle of five back blows and five chest compressions until help arrives. Be cautious not to apply excessive force to avoid damaging internal organs or ribs.

If back blows and the Heimlich maneuver fail to clear the airway and consciousness is lost, begin CPR or chest compressions for basic life support.

Choking incidents can happen to anyone, from children swallowing small objects during play to adults choking on food while eating. In many cases worldwide, lives could be saved with simple first aid techniques to dislodge objects from the airway, but a lack of first aid knowledge often leads to fatalities. To prevent this, everyone should be informed about the Heimlich maneuver and be prepared to use it to save themselves or someone else in an emergency.

By learning the Heimlich maneuver and its application techniques, you can be prepared to provide life-saving first aid during choking incidents, potentially saving lives in critical moments.