Is The Heimlich Maneuver Effective For Everyone?

When to Use Alternative Techniques

For infants under one year old, the back blows technique is recommended. This involves five quick back blows between the shoulder blades, followed by five chest thrusts. For young children, the chest thrusts technique is used with the same ratio of back blows to chest thrusts.

Performing the Heimlich Maneuver Correctly

The Heimlich Maneuver involves standing behind the person choking, wrapping your arms around their waist, and making a fist with one hand. Place the heel of your fist just above the person’s navel and perform a quick upward thrust. This should cause the object to dislodge from the airway. Repeat the thrusts until the object is clear.

Contraindications and Precautions

Individuals with a hiatal hernia, esophageal rupture, or other abdominal issues should not have the Heimlich Maneuver performed on them, as it could exacerbate their condition. Additionally, those with a severe spinal injury or other physical limitations may require alternative techniques or assistance from a medical professional.