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Understanding the Heimlich Maneuver

Understanding the Heimlich Maneuver

Understanding the Heimlich Maneuver

If you are keen when visiting your favorite restaurant, you’ve probably come across a sign explaining how to use the Heimlich maneuver in an emergency. This is a necessary procedure that can save a life in an emergency, so it is crucial to be prepared. Quick CPR can help you know how and when to use the life-saving technique and when you shouldn’t go through our highly individualized CPR classes. While it is an effective procedure that can enhance the chances of survival when one is choking, it is crucial to know when to use the Heimlich maneuver.

Recognizing Choking

Choking is a terrifying experience for the respondent and victim, especially if the rescuer has not undergone a CPR certification course. According to the American Red Cross, the global sign of choking is when hands are clutched to someone’s throat. Since infants and children can’t make this gesture, we cover all the bases, from preventing infants from choking to recognizing someone exhibiting these key indicators.

Leverage our professional instructors’ extensive experience and knowledge to ensure you can assess and appropriately react to a choking emergency. Some indicators to look out for include; inability to talk, difficulty breathing, coughing, loss of consciousness, flushed skin turning purple, and many others. Our CPR classes comprehensively cover all the key indicators to ensure the right action is taken before the situation gets out of hand.

What is the Heimlich Maneuver?

The Heimlich maneuver is a technique that was approved back in the 1980s to help victims choke on foreign objects or food. It involves the first respondent standing behind the victim and placing their arms around the person’s abdomen. The rescuer then delivers five upward thrusts while squeezing the victim to force the air out of the lungs, inducing a cough. This helps to dislodge any food or object hindering the person from breathing.

If the choking victim is an infant, the procedure is far more delicate, and the rescuer should ensure they have undergone CPR certification training. It is vital to consult a healthcare professional before proceeding with the Heimlich maneuver and call 9-1-1 to ensure the victim gets emergency help on time to mitigate further deterioration.

Helping a Choking Victim

When faced with a situation where you must rescue a choking person, ensure you are familiar with the steps to perform the Heimlich technique effectively. Stand behind the victim and place your weaker foot in front and use the other for balance. Tip the victim forward with your hands around the abdomen. If a child chokes, kneel behind the child for a better hold.

Make a fist with one hand and position it slightly above the navel. Grab your fist with the other hand and start pressing hard with quick, upward thrusts as if you are trying to lift them. The procedure should be repeated six to ten times to dislodge the blockage effectively.

Contact us at Quick CPR and enroll for CPR classes online and in person. Please schedule a consultation with our experienced representatives to customize a program suited to your needs for optimal impact and success.