How does the heimlich maneuver help

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Updated visitor guidelines. Top of the page. Topic Overview A person who is choking cannot talk, cough, or breathe, and may turn gray or blue. If the person can't breathe, cough, or make sounds, then: Stand or kneel behind the person and wrap your arms around his or her waist. If the person is standing, place one of your legs between his or her legs so you can support the person if he or she faints. Regardless of whom you perform the maneuver on, that person should still get medical help afterward.

This is to ensure no physical damage has occurred to their throat and airways. Determine whether you need to perform abdominal thrusts. If a person who appears to be choking is conscious and coughing, they may be able to dislodge the object on their own. Administer first aid if the person is:.

Push your fist inward and upward in the same manner as you would if they were standing. On pregnant women, you need to place your hand a little higher on their torso, around the base of their breastbone.

If that person is unconscious, place them on their back and try to clear the airway with your finger in a sweeping motion. You can also thrust your upper abdomen against a hard edge like the corner of a table or counter, or back of a chair.

Learn about some possible causes of choking and what you can do…. An acute upper airway obstruction is a blockage that suddenly occurs in your upper airway — the part of your respiratory system that consists of the…. Is online help for depression right for you? Here, we'll discuss some of the best online depression resources and how they stack up. Cauterization is the process of destroying tissue with electricity or chemicals.

Pull the clenched fist sharply and directly backward and upward under the rib cage 6 to 10 times quickly. Continue uninterrupted until the obstruction is relieved or advanced life support is available. In either case, the person should be examined by a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Abdominal thrusts can be painful and even injure the person. Only use abdominal thrusts in actual emergencies, when it is certain that the person is choking. Use this method only in adults.

A different technique is used in infants and small children. Discuss the proper first-aid choking technique for your child with his or her healthcare provider.

Using abdominal thrusts is simple to learn and is often taught during first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR classes. Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross or American Heart Association or contact your local hospital or healthcare facility for a class schedule and more information.

Health Home Wellness and Prevention. How can I prevent choking? You can prevent choking in adults by following these precautionary measures: Cut food into small pieces. Chew food slowly and thoroughly, especially if wearing dentures.