"Does Anyone Know the Heimlich?"

"Does anyone know the Heimlich?" This is the question Tyler stood up and asked during happy hour with his co-workers.

A couple of weeks ago we had the pleasure to teach a CPR | First Aid class for 14 in downtown Dallas. Just a few weeks before Tyler and his co-workers were enjoying Thursday night happy hour at a restaurant they frequent (it's close enough to walk to from the office) when one of his coworkers made the universal sign for choking. Tyler was the first to stand up and ask, "Does anyone know the Heimlich?" He couldn't believe that neither he, his coworkers or the restaurant staff knew the Heimlich. Tyler led the search for a CPR | First Aid class.

The National Safety Council (NSC) points out choking represents the fourth-leading cause of unintentional injury or death in the United States. Choking can happen at any location, at any time, and you’ll want to do everything you can to ensure you can assist a choking victim.

Fortunately, the Heimlich maneuver empowers you to use abdominal thrusts to assist a conscious choking victim. The maneuver enables you to assist someone who can’t cough, speak or breathe and provide immediate assistance before advanced medical personnel arrives on the scene. This way, you may be able to prevent the loss of life if you understand how to perform the Heimlich maneuver properly.

HOW TO PERFORM THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER

The NSC recommends the following steps to perform the Heimlich maneuver:

1. Stand behind the choking victim and keep one leg forward between the victim’s legs.

2. Reach around the victim’s abdomen and locate his or her navel.

3. Place the thumb side of your fist against the abdomen; the thumb side of your fist should be placed directly above the navel.

4. Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust inward and upward to the victim’s abdomen. Perform quick thrusts repeatedly. If you are assisting a pregnant victim, you should use chest thrusts from behind.

5. Continue to perform thrusts until the victim expels the object or he or she becomes unresponsive.

The Heimlich maneuver should not be performed on a choking victim who is under the age of 1, according to the NSC. Also, you should call 911 regardless of whether the Heimlich maneuver is successful to ensure a choking victim receives comprehensive medical attention.

RECEIVE EXPERT INSIGHTS INTO THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER AND OTHER LIFE-SAVING ESSENTIALS

The Heimlich maneuver represents a life-saving technique, one that you can use to administer quick thrusts to aid a choking victim. It is one of many life-saving techniques that may enable you to deliver critical assistance in emergencies as well.

Any Day CPR Training makes it simple for individuals of all ages to learn the ins and outs of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic life support (BLS) and other life-saving essentials. We provide a wide range of courses that feature both hands-on and classroom lessons, ensuring you can learn how to deliver life-saving support in many dangerous and medical scenarios. Any Day CPR offers training at your location if it's more convenient for you.

Get the emergency training you need to become a lifesaver in your community today! To learn more about Any Day CPR Training and our course offerings, please contact us at 866-CPR-4093.