Heimlich Maneuver - Grey Goose

12/25/2009 Heimlich Maneuver - How to Do the He…
First Aid
How To Do the Heimlich Maneuver
By Rod Brouhard, About.com Guide Updated November 29,
2008
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our
Medical Review Board
Free First Aid Newsletter!
Enter email address
Discuss in my Forum
Em ail
Print
See More About:
shortness of breath cpr accidents first aid techniques
Choking requires a quick response to remove the airway obstruction before it leads to unconsciousness.
These steps are for conscious adults and children aged 1 to 8.
For infants under 1 year old, see infant choking.
To see a demonstration of this technique, watch the Heimlich Maneuver Video.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: N/A
Here's How:
1. Stay Safe! Remember that victims may panic and inadvertantly strike out.
2. Establish that the victim is actually choking. Choking victims cannot speak, cough, or breath.
3. Stand behind the victim.
4. Wrap your hands around the victim as if to give a hug.
5. Make a fist with your right hand and place it just above the victim's belly button ­ see graphic.
6. Grab your fist with your left and thrust inwards and upwards forcefully.
7. Repeat thrusts until the victim is able to breath again ­ or until the victim becomes unconscious.
8. If the victim becomes unconscious, begin adult CPR if the victim is over 8 years old and child CPR if the
victim is between 1 and 8 years old.
Tips:
1. Do not slap the victim on the back. Dislodging the airway obstruction while the victim is upright will result
in a deeper obstruction (gravity will pull it down).
Source:
firstaid.about.com/…/06_heimadult.htm 1/2

12/25/2009 Heimlich Maneuver - How to Do the He…
ECC Committee, Subcommittees and Task Forces of the American Heart Association. "2005 American
Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care."
Circulation. 13 Dec 2005. PMID: 16314375
Explore First Aid
See More About:
shortness of
breath
cpr
By Category
Calling for Help
First Aid Kits
Basic First Aid
First Aid Videos
Travel Safety
Emergency
Preparedness
Allergy &
Anaphylaxis
Burns and Fire
Safety
accidents
first aid
techniques
Shortness of
Breath
Vomiting &
Diarrhea
Heart Attacks
Strokes &
Seizures
Children
Pregnancy &
Childbirth
Food Safety
Must Reads
A­Z First Aid
First Aid Tools:
Training and Kits
When to C all 911
Top First Aid Myths
First Aid Kits
Most Popular
Burn Treatment
Spider Bites
Short of Breath
Nausea C auses
Diarrhea Treatment
firstaid.about.com/…/06_heimadult.htm 2/2