Heimlich Maneuver

Sharyl P. Custodio, RN., EMT. / Engr. Roger S. Ventura

Objectives
At the end of the session participants will be able to:
1. Demonstrate how to perform Heimlich maneuver
in a given situation
Choking
Happens when a person’s airway
is partially or completely blocked
by swelling in the mouth or
throat, fluids, or food.
Common causes of choking in adults
• swallowing large pieces of food
• drinking alcohol
• wearing loose dentures
• accumulation of blood after an accident or injury
Signs and symptoms
• coughing either forcefully or weakly
• inability to cough, speak or cry
• making high-pitch noises while inhaling
• bluish skin color
• clutching the neck with one or both hands
• unconsciousness
Universal distress sign of choking
First aid management

1. Ask the person, “Are you choking?”. Encourage the person

to cough.

2. Give 5 back blows.

First aid management
3. If back blows fail to
relieve the obstruction,
perform
Heimlich maneuver.
Steps on how to perform Heimlich maneuver
1. Stand behind the person and put both arms around the
upper part of abdomen.
2. Lean the person forward.

3. Clench your fist and place it above the navel.

Steps on how to perform Heimlich maneuver
4. Grasp the fist with the other hand and give 5 sharply
inward and upward thrusts .

5. Repeat the quick thrusts until the foreign object comes

out.
Situation:

You and your best friend is having steak for lunch

then suddenly he/she started choking.

What would you do?

Summary:
1. Choking is a true medical emergency that requires fast,
appropriate action by anyone available..
2. If the choking person can speak, the airway is only partly
blocked.
3. The Heimlich maneuver is a rapid first-aid procedure to
treat choking.
Thank you!