The Heimlich Manoeuvre is a life-saving emergency procedure performed without any equipment to help someone who is choking. Learning the signs of choking and mastering the correct technique ensures rapid emergency assistance, preventing severe brain damage or death.
Choking blocks the trachea. The Heimlich Manoeuvre uses upward abdominal thrusts to force the trapped object out.
Heimlich Manoeuvre is an emergency procedure carried out to save an individual who is choking.
Choking happens when an object or swallowed food slips into the trachea rather than the oesophagus. Because this cuts off the air supply, immediate action is vital.
The Heimlich Manoeuvre was invented in 1974 by Dr. Henry Heimlich, a thoracic specialist surgeon.
When swallowing, the epiglottis folds down to block the trachea so food safely enters the oesophagus heading toward the stomach. If food accidentally enters and blocks the respiratory tract instead, the person chokes.
The human body and brain require a continuous supply of oxygen. Inhaled oxygen enters the lungs and is absorbed into body cells, including brain cells. A blocked respiratory tract prevents oxygen from entering the lungs, causing oxygen deprivation in the brain. Delayed emergency assistance can result in irreversible brain damage or death.
The procedure does not require any specialized equipment.
If alone while choking, place your hands between the navel and below the ribs using the Heimlich Manoeuvre hand position, and exert pressure on that area by bending your body. If lacking strength, find a waist-height stationary object such as a chair or table, bend forward, and push your body against the object with all your strength.
Answer in your mind, then press “Check Answer”.
What happens to the epiglottis during normal swallowing, and why does choking occur?
Where should a rescuer place their fist when performing the Heimlich Manoeuvre?
How does an upward jerk dislodge a foreign object from the respiratory tract?
Choking only happens when eating too quickly.
Choking occurs whenever any food or foreign object enters and obstructs the trachea, regardless of eating speed.
You cannot perform the Heimlich Manoeuvre if you are alone.
You can perform it on yourself by using your own fists or by pressing your upper abdomen against a waist-high object such as a chair or table edge.
The Heimlich Manoeuvre is applied to restart the heart.
The Heimlich Manoeuvre is used specifically to dislodge an obstruction in the respiratory tract; CPR is the procedure used when there is no heartbeat or breathing.
1 What is the primary physiological effect of pressing and jerking upwards during the Heimlich Manoeuvre?
2 Which of the following is a clear sign that an individual is choking and requires the Heimlich Manoeuvre?
3 When performing the Heimlich Manoeuvre, the rescuer must place a clenched fist between the navel and below the of the victim.
4 If a choking person is left without oxygen for too long, the victim may suffer from damage or death.
Drag each step number to the correct action description. On a phone, tap a step first, then tap a matching box. Tap the Step Number area to return a selected item.
Write the correct step number next to each action description.
Answer choices: Step 1 • Step 2 • Step 3 • Step 4
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