Choking can be caused by food, gum, drink or anything accidentally inhaled through the nose or mouth. If air is unable to reach the lungs death will occur. The Heimlich Maneuver is the most effective way to help a choking person.
How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver:
- The victim will not be able to talk but will probably communicate through signs and actions. such as grabbing his or her throat. Get someone to call 911.
- Stand behind the victim and put your arms around his or her upper abdomen.
- Make a fist at the bottom of the victim's breast bone.
- Push your fist up into the victim's chest in a quick motion, putting pressure on the lungs. This will push air out of the lungs into the windpipe, forcing the object to dislodge from the throat.
- Repeat the procedure. It may take many times to dislodge the object.
- If the victim is pregnant or obese, pressure should be directed to the chest instead of the abdomen.
- If the victim is unconscious, turn him or her onto the back .Put your hand against the victim's middle abdomen. Place your other hand on top and push upward with a sharp thrust. Try to remove the obstruction with your fingers. If the victim stops breathing, began artificial respiration.
- If the victim is a child, put the heel of your hand against the navel and well below the rib cage. Cover it with the other hand and push down with a sharp upward movement. The child should be on his or her back.
- If the victim is a baby, straddle the infant over your arm with the head lower than the torso. Hold the baby's jaw in your hand to support the head. Give four back blows between the shoulder blades to dislodge the foreign object.
- Continue to work with the victim until the ambulance arrives or he or she is breathing.
