Are There Alternatives To The Heimlich Maneuver?

Abdominal Thrusts

The abdominal thrusts, also known as the “squeezes,” are an alternative to the Heimlich maneuver. To perform this technique, stand behind the person who is choking and wrap your arms around their waist. Grasp your fist and place it just above their navel, with your thumb side facing their back. Push your fist in and up towards their diaphragm with a quick, firm motion, repeating this motion 5-10 times. Check to see if the obstruction has been dislodged after each thrust. If the person is still choking, continue to repeat this process.

Back Blows

The back blows are another method used to dislodge an obstruction from the airway. To perform this technique, stand behind the person who is choking and lean them forward slightly. Use the heel of your hand to deliver 5 rapid back blows between the person’s shoulder blades, about 2-3 inches below the base of their neck. Check to see if the obstruction has been dislodged after each series of blows. If the person is still choking, continue to repeat this process. The back blows can be used in conjunction with the abdominal thrusts to increase the effectiveness of the technique.

Combination Technique

In some cases, a combination of the abdominal thrusts and back blows may be necessary to dislodge the obstruction. This technique is often referred to as the “5-5-5” method, where you perform 5 back blows, followed by 5 abdominal thrusts, and then repeat this process 5 times. This method can be effective in dislodging an obstruction and should be used in conjunction with any other first aid techniques, such as CPR, if the person is unresponsive and not breathing.