|
| |
 |
Reminder |
 |
|
|
|
Choking |
|
Heimlich Maneuver: |
|
 
This maneuver is used to stop someone from choking on a foreign
object blocking the airway by removing the object. This simple first aid
procedure forces air out of the lungs in an attempt to force the obstruction
out of the airways. This procedure should be used on all conscious chocking
adults and children from ages 1-18. If the child is under a year old, the
method is not recommended and should not be used. The Heimlich maneuver is a
series of under the diaphragm abdominal thrusts, which force air from the
lungs to create and artificial cough. This “cough” is intended to remove the
obstruction from the airway. Each thrust should be given in attempt to
remove the obstruction.
Although the Heimlich maneuver is simple
and effective, it can be painful for and even injurious to the victim. It's
something to be reserved for genuine emergencies, and should be performed
only when the situation meets the following guidelines:
-
The person cannot talk, cough, or breathe. (If the
person is coughing, they're not choking, so don't perform it.)
-
The person nods yes to the question, "Are you choking?"
-
The person is unconscious and your attempts to breathe for them are
blocked.
|
Method
1: Perform it on a conscious person
|
 1. Stand
close behind the victim with your thigh between their legs. Some
experts recommend that you stand sideways behind the victim (with your hip
at a 90 degree angle to the victim's back). This enables you to brace your
hip against their lower back or buttocks.
2.
Make a fist with one hand, and place it thumb-first against the person's
abdomen, an inch (about 3 cm) above the belly button.
3. Cover
that fist with your other hand. Keeping your elbows out, sharply and
quickly pull your fist inwards and upwards.
4. Be
sure to perform this motion with sufficient force to dislodge the object; it
often must be repeated up to six times. If the object remains stuck,
lie the person on their back, and continue as if the person were unconscious
(see Method 2). If someone else is present, have them call 911. If
you're alone, proceed directly to Method 2. |
|
Method 2: Perform it on an unconscious person |
 1. Lower
the person to the floor and onto their back. If another person is
present, have them call 911.
2.
Open their mouth and try to see the object.
3.
Sweep your hooked finger across the back of their throat. Remove the
object if you find it.
4.
Straddle the person's thighs. This will put you in the correct position
to do the thrust.
5. Place
the heel of your hand over the person's abdomen just above their
belly button, and cover that hand with your other one.
6.
Keeping both arms straight, press down, and forward into the abdomen
with a quick thrust. It may be necessary to repeat this up to four more
times.
7. If
the object hasn't popped out, again sweep your hooked finger across the back
of their throat. Remove the object if you find it. Call 911.
8. If
the person vomits, turn them on their side to avoid further blockage of
the air pipe. |
|
Method 3:
Perform first aid for a choking small child or infant |
 Small children and infants have much more
fragile bodies than the rest of us. The two methods below are designed to
minimize damage to very young bones and tissue. Go to Step 2 if only
if Step 1 is ineffective.
 The
"Over your Lap" method
1.
Find a chair and sit on it.
2. Place
the child/infant face-down across your lap, with their upper torso
hanging over the side of your knee.
3. Using
the heel of your hand, thump the child/infant firmly but gently four
times between the shoulder blades. Be especially careful with infants.
Increase the amount of force only if a gentle thump doesn't dislodge the
object.
4. If
you haven't dislodged the object with several thumps, call 911. If the
victim is an infant or very small child, go on to Step 2.
 The "Upside Down
by the Ankles" method
1. Hold
the victim upside-down by the ankles. You'll need to hold the both
ankles in one hand, with your thumb around one leg, your three last fingers
around the other leg, and your index finger in between their legs.
2. Thump
the victim's back between the shoulder blades firmly but gently.
Caution:
Don't search blindly in a small child or infant's mouth. You can
accidentally push the object further down their throat. (Although you should
remove the object if it's readily visible.) If the child vomits, turn their
head to the side to keep them from choking further. If the child is
unconscious, call 911. |
|
Method 4:
Perform it on yourself |
 Your first move is to call 911.
Even though you can't speak, most 911 systems can trace you to your address.
Leave the phone off the hook and perform one of the methods below. It
requires some willpower to administer this painful technique on yourself,
but your life may be at stake. You have a bit less than two minutes before
you pass out.
Use your own
hands
1. Make
a fist with one hand, and place it thumb-first against your abdomen,
just above the belly button.
2. Cover
that fist with your other hand, and pull your fist inwards and upwards
sharply, quickly and forcefully. Repeat several times if
necessary.
Use a
sharp-edged object
Use this method if Step 1 doesn't
dislodge the object.
1.
Locate a straight-backed chair and place it firmly against a wall or
angle it in a corner.
2. If a chair isn't available,
use a sharp counter top, deck railing, staircase railing, or the sharp edge
of a table, stove, or piano.
3. Run
into the object. Attempt to meet it at the spot just above your
belly button. Run at the object repeatedly and with as much force as you
can muster until the object is dislodged.
The Heimlich maneuver is simple and
effective on choking victims when used by itself. If you also know CPR,
you'll have another powerful life-saving technique to use on an unconscious
person. Your local hospital or city administration offices should be able to
provide you with the location of CPR classes near you.
(Heimlich maneuver methods taken from
www.learn2.com) |
| |
|
