🚨 Heimlich Maneuver

What Is the Heimlich Maneuver?

The Heimlich maneuver is an emergency technique for choking when a person’s airway is blocked by food or objects.

It uses abdominal thrusts to push air from the lungs, blasting out the blockage.

Use it on conscious choking victims who cannot cough, speak, or breathe.

Goal: Clear the airway fast, without causing extra harm.

Signs of Mild vs Severe Choking

Mild choking:

• Coughing strongly
• Can speak or breathe a little

Severe choking:

• Silent, cannot cough or speak
• Grabbing throat (universal sign)
• Skin, lips may turn blue

Key: Heimlich is for severe choking only. Encourage coughing for mild choking.

When to Act

Use the Heimlich maneuver if the person:

• Shows universal choking sign
• Cannot speak or cough effectively
• Struggles or fails to breathe

Steps before acting:

1. Ask, “Are you choking?”

2. Tell them you’re going to help.

3. Send someone to call emergency services.

Quick action can prevent brain damage from lack of oxygen.

When NOT to Use Heimlich

Do not use standard abdominal thrusts on:

• Infants under 1 year
• Pregnant people
• Very obese people
• Anyone who is coughing effectively

For them, special methods are needed (back blows, chest thrusts, or modified techniques).

Also avoid it if there is no choking (like just coughing on saliva).