Heimlich maneuver or the Heimlich maneuver may be performed as an emergency measure to help a choking person. This procedure was first introduced by dr. Henry Heimlich in 1974.
Eating while talking or in too much of a hurry can cause a person to choke. This condition can make people who experience it difficult to breathe, so the body will lack oxygen. If not treated immediately, this condition can lead to death.
By doing Heimlich maneuver, air reserves in the lungs can be pushed up quickly so that foreign objects that trigger a person's choking can be expelled and reopen the airway. Thus, the person's life can be saved.
Way to do Heimlich Maneuver
Heimlich maneuver should be performed on a choking person who exhibits the following characteristics:
- Aware and responsive
- Difficulty breathing or speaking
- Can't cough to get things stuck in the throat
- The position of the hand is holding the neck or chest
Here is how to do Heimlich maneuver based on the age and condition of the person who is choking:
1. Heimlich maneuver for adults and children
To help adults or children over 1 year old who are choking, you can do Heimlich maneuver in the following way:
- Help the person who is choking to stand up.
- Position yourself behind the person. If a child is choking, kneel behind them.
- Place one foot in front of the other to maintain balance.
- Bend the body of the person who is choking forward.
- Hit his back with the palm of your hand 5 times.
- Wrap your arms around the choking person's waist.
- Clench one hand with your thumb inward, place the other hand on it, then place it slightly above the navel of the person who is choking.
- Press your fists against his stomach and jerk him up. Repeat this movement 10 times or until the object that is blocking the throat comes out and he can breathe or cough.
If the person who is choking becomes unconscious or becomes unconscious after doing so Heimlich maneuver, lay him on his back and seek medical help immediately or call an ambulance from the nearest hospital.
While waiting for medical personnel to arrive, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to open the airway.
2. Heimlich maneuver for pregnant women or obese people
Procedure Heimlich maneuver Pregnant women or obese people are almost the same as ordinary people. The difference is only in the position of curling and placing your head.
For pregnant or obese people, you should curl your fists and place them slightly higher, around the breastbone or breast area.
3. Heimlich maneuver for baby
In infants and children, please go to the first aid page for choking children.
4. Heimlich maneuver for myself
Not only done for other people, Heimlich maneuver You can also do it when you are choking yourself. If you are choking, perform the Heimlich maneuver independently in the following steps:
- Make a fist and place it slightly above your belly button.
- Push your fists into your stomach and move them up 5 times or until the object is stuck in your throat.
- You can also use the back of a chair to squeeze your stomach.
If the Heimlich maneuver is successful for choking, you or the person who is choking still need to call an ambulance and get medical help from a doctor. This is important to ensure that no foreign body remains in the airway.
If you still have questions about how to do Heimlich maneuver or still confused to do it, you can consult a doctor.