If a victim is coughing strongly or able to
talk, let the person try to expel the foreign
body using his or her own efforts.
If the choking victim displays a weak or
ineffective cough, this indicates that air
exchange is minimal and that you should start
the Heimlich maneuver.
Teach your family the universal choking
sign--clutching the throat. Encourage everyone
you know to become familiar with this sign and
use it when choking.
To avoid breaking bones, never place your hands
on the victim's breastbone or lower rib cage
when performing the Heimlich maneuver.
If choking persists, call 911 immediately. This
information is not intended to be a substitute
for professional medical advice or treatment.
Step One:
Determine if the person can
speak or cough. If not, proceed to the next step
Step two:
Place your arms around the victim's waist. Make a
fist with one hand and place your thumb toward the
victim, just above his or her belly button.
Grab your fist with your other hand.
Deliver upward squeeze-thrusts into the
abdomen. Perform an
abdominal thrust (Heimlich Maneuver) repeatedly
until the foreign body is expelled.
Step Three:
A chest thrust may be used for
markedly obese persons or in late stages of
pregnancy.
