How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver | In Case of Emergency | Mass General Brigham

Summary

The video provides a guide on how to assist someone who is choking, emphasizing the use of the Heimlich maneuver or abdominal thrusts. It explains that if the person can still speak, breathe, or cough, they should be encouraged to cough. If not, back blows and abdominal thrusts should be used. The video also advises calling emergency services immediately. It offers instructions on performing self-abdominal thrusts if alone. Learning this technique, which can save lives, is recommended for everyone through choking safety courses.

Takeaways

• 🚨 If someone is choking, call 911 immediately to get emergency medical help while someone else attends to the choking person.
• 😶 The Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts) should not be performed on someone who can still talk, breathe, or cough.
• 💨 Encourage someone who is still able to cough to continue coughing to try and dislodge the obstruction.
• ✋ If the person cannot breathe, try five sharp back blows with the heel of your hand between their shoulder blades.
• 👐 If back blows don’t work, perform abdominal thrusts by standing behind the person, making a fist, and pushing inward and upward above their belly button.
• ↩️ Repeat five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until the obstruction is cleared or emergency help arrives.
• 🙋‍♀️ If you're alone and choking, perform abdominal thrusts on yourself or use a hard surface like a chair or countertop to push above your navel.
• 🏥 The Heimlich maneuver is easy to learn, potentially life-saving, and can be applied by anyone.
• 👨‍🏫 The technique is taught in choking safety courses, making it accessible to everyone for emergency preparedness.
• 💡 Abdominal thrusts work by forcing air from the lungs to dislodge an obstruction from the airway.

Q & A

What should you do if you suspect someone is choking?

Call 911 immediately to get emergency medical help and explain the situation. Ideally, one person should call while another attends to the choking person.

When should the Heimlich maneuver be used?

The Heimlich maneuver should be used when someone is choking and cannot talk, breathe, or cough. If the person can still cough, encourage them to continue as it may dislodge the obstruction.

What should you do if a person who is choking cannot talk, breathe, or cough?

First, try giving five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If this is unsuccessful, perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) to attempt to dislodge the obstruction.

How do you perform the Heimlich maneuver on a choking person?

Stand behind the person, make a fist with one hand, grab it with the other, and place your hands on the upper abdomen just above the belly button. Perform a quick inward and upward thrust to force air out of the lungs and dislodge the obstruction.

How many times should you repeat back blows and abdominal thrusts?

Repeat five back blows and five abdominal thrusts in sequence until the airway is cleared or emergency help arrives.

What should you do if you are choking and alone?

If alone, you can perform abdominal thrusts on yourself by placing your fist above your navel, grasping it with your other hand, and pushing inward and upward. Alternatively, you can bend over a hard surface like a chair or countertop and press above your navel.

Why is the Heimlich maneuver effective in helping a choking person?

The Heimlich maneuver creates a forceful upward thrust of air from the lungs, which can dislodge an obstruction blocking the airway.

Who can learn to perform the Heimlich maneuver?

Anyone can learn the Heimlich maneuver, and it is often taught in choking safety courses and emergency care classes.

Should the Heimlich maneuver be used if the person can still speak, cough, or breathe?

No, if the person can still talk, cough, or breathe, they should be encouraged to keep coughing, as it may clear the obstruction naturally.

What is the key placement of hands when performing abdominal thrusts on a choking person?

Hands should be placed just above the belly button, at the diaphragm, for effective abdominal thrusts.