5 Things You Need to Know About Doing the Heimlich Maneuver

1. A Cork Out of a Bottle

The Heimlich Maneuver removes an object from a person's airway. Often when people chew food, small portions go down the wrong path and clog the airway. A person who is choking needs the obstruction removed immediately. The Heimlich puts pressure on the stomach forcing a type of cough. The cough puts pressure on the object blocking the airway and pops it out, much like a cork pops out of a bottle.

2. Wake Up!

The Heimlich Maneuver is for people who are conscious. In many choking cases the airway is only partially blocked. Even if the airway is totally blocked it takes a few minutes before a person loses consciousness. If a person is unconscious, rescue breathing and chest compressions help a person to start breathing and their heart to start beating again. Only use the Heimlich Maneuver when a person is still conscious and obviously choking.

3. Blocked Airway or Something Else

Before using the Heimlich Maneuver it's important to know whether the person really has a blocked airway. Other conditions like stroke, heart attack or drug overdoes can cause a person to stop breathing. When someone has a blocked airway their breathing may sound more like a wheeze or a high pitched squeak. They may also point to their mouth or put their hands near their throat to indicate they are choking. When a person is choking they may also turn blue. If someone is still able to cough, let them keep coughing and try to dislodge the object themselves, and stay close by until you're sure they're OK.

4. The Specifics

The first step to performing the Heimlich Manuever is to say in a loud voice, "Are you OK?" Say it a couple of times if necessary and wait for a response. Watch for the person to shake their head no or put their hands near their throat to indicate they are choking. At that time wrap your arms around the person's waist if they are sitting or standing. Make a fist with one hand and put the thumb side of the fist on the person's stomach just above the naval. Wrap your fist with your other hand and press into the person's stomach with a quick upward push. Repeat until the object comes out or the person can spit it out.

5. Another Position

If the choking victim is very overweight or pregnant wrap your arms underneath their arm pits. Place your fist on their breast bone. Don't put it too low on the breast bone or off to one side on the ribs. Use the same short, upward motion until the object comes out.