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Choking happens when an object gets lodged in the throat and obstructs the airways, leading to suffocation. According to the National Library of Medicine, it is the leading cause of death among children 1 to 3 years, and the fourth leading cause of unintentional death overall. However, there is a simple technique — known as the Heimlich manoeuvre — which can be used to expel the trapped object from a person’s airway. Also called abdominal thrusts, this method helps lift the diaphragm and expel air from the lungs, leading the foreign object to get dislodged from the airway.
Dr Samrat Shah, Consultant Internist at Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai said, “Choking happens when an object lodges in the throat or windpipe blocking the flow of air. In adults, a piece of food is usually to blame. Young children often choke on small objects. It can be life-threatening as it cuts off oxygen to the brain.” Adding that timing is crucial when giving first aid, Dr Shah said that if a person can’t cough, talk, cry, or laugh forcefully, they can be given first aid in the form of the Heimlich manoeuvre.
History
In the early 1970s, Dr Henry J Heimlich developed a first-aid technique for choking, known as the Heimlich manoeuvre, after reading an article about accidental deaths. At age 96, he used this technique on a fellow diner at his home, saving the life of an 87-year-old woman who was choking.
How to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre, as per the expert:
This technique depends on the person’s age, pregnancy status, and weight.
Adult and children over the age of 1
*Stand behind the person with one leg forward, between the person’s legs.
*For a child, move down to their level and keep your head to one side.
*Put your arms around the person and locate their belly button.
*Place the thumb side of one fist against the stomach just above the belly button.
*Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust inward and upward into the person’s stomach. Use quick, thrusting movements five times or until they expel the item.
*Continue thrusts until the person expels the object or becomes unresponsive.
*If the person becomes unresponsive, begin CPR.
*Seek medical attention.
Infants under 1 year old
This technique is not safe for infants under 1 year old. Instead use this:
*Sit down and hold the infant face down on your forearm, which should be resting on your thigh.
*Give five back blows gently with the heel of your hand.
*If that does not work, position the infant face up and resting on your forearm and thigh so their head is lower than their trunk.
*Place two fingers at the center of their breastbone and perform five quick chest compressions.
*Repeat the back blows and chest thrusts until the object is expelled and the infant can breathe or cough on their own.
Pregnant woman
On pregnant women, you need to place your hand a little higher on their torso, around the base of their breastbone. If that person is unconscious, place them on their back and try to clear the airway with your finger in a sweeping motion.
On yourself
*Make a fist and place it just about your navel, thumb side in.
*Grab the fist with your other hand and push it inward and upward at the same time. Perform five of these abdominal thrusts.
*Repeat until the object is expelled and you can breathe or cough on your own.
Concluding, Dr Shah said, “The Heimlich maneouvre is considered a safe and quick method to save lives, but certain complications have been reported if the maneuver is not performed correctly or too much force is used — rib fracture, diaphragm rupture, pneumomediastinum, acute thrombosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm, mesenteric laceration, and traumatic injury of the gastrointestinal tract.”
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