Is The Heimlich Maneuver Valid For Children?

Heimlich Maneuver for Children Over 1 Year Old

The Heimlich maneuver for children over 1 year old differs slightly from the adult version. For children between 1-8 years old, the rescuer needs to stand behind the child and wrap their arms around their waist, with one hand on top of the other, and give a series of quick upward thrusts to help dislodge the object. The recommended number of thrusts is 5-10, with a pause after each to assess if the object has been dislodged.

Heimlich Maneuver for Infants Under 1 Year Old

For infants under 1 year old, the back blows method is the recommended first aid approach for relieving choking. The rescuer needs to sit down with the infant on their lap and use the heel of their hand to deliver 5 back blows between the infant’s shoulder blades, with each blow aimed at the center of the back. If this does not relieve the choking, you should use the chest thrusts version of the Heimlich maneuver.

Important Considerations and When to Seek Medical Attention

It’s crucial to remember that the Heimlich maneuver is a last resort and should only be performed if the child is unable to cough, cry, or make any noise. If the child shows any of these signs, you should attempt to dislodge the object by giving back blows. Always seek medical attention immediately after performing the Heimlich maneuver, even if the object has been dislodged, as there may be underlying damage.