Articles
Foreign object inhaled: First aid
To perform abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) on someone else
To perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself
Content
When to seek emergency help
Treatment
Child and adult
If the person who has inhaled an object isn't conscious:
To give abdominal thrusts to someone else:
Pregnant person or someone you can't get your arms around
Yourself
If you're alone and choking:
To perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself
Content
When to seek emergency help
Treatment
Child and adult
If the person who has inhaled an object isn't conscious:
To give abdominal thrusts to someone else:
Pregnant person or someone you can't get your arms around
Yourself
If you're alone and choking:
To give abdominal thrusts to someone else:
- Stand behind the person. For a child, kneel down behind. Place one foot slightly in front of the other for balance. Wrap your arms around the waist. Tip the person forward slightly.
- Make a fist with one hand. Put it just above the person's navel.
- Grasp the fist with the other hand. Press into the stomach, also called the abdomen, with a quick, upward thrust — as if trying to lift the person up. For a child, use gentle yet firm pressure to avoid damaging the internal organs.
- Give five abdominal thrusts. Check if the blockage has been removed. Repeat as needed.
