How do you give yourself the Heimlich maneuver?

Answer 1

I really, really hope this wasn't something asked in real-time.

The first thing to do is call 911 or your local emergency number. Make as much noise (grunting, humming, whatever) as you can and drop the phone but DON'T hang it up.

Even if you can't speak, someone will be sent to investigate the phone call.

If you can still breathe, cough, or talk at all, the heimlich won't work. Just keep coughing, try to take deep, slow breaths between coughs, and keep working at it.

If you're unable to breathe, cough, or talk, the easiest way to self-administer the heimlich is with the back of a chair or other similarly-shaped sturdy object. Bend over the back of the chair with the arms or back just under your ribcage, then allow yourself to drop slightly so that your body weight causes you to "fall" onto the back of the chair. This will create pressure in your lungs and hopefully, expel the obstruction.

Answer 2

Here are a few basics on performing the Heimlich Maneuver.

Before performing Heimlich, make sure that the patient is actually choking. Ask the person if he or she can speak. A choking person will often shake his head "no" while at the same time the person will clutch or grab at his throat/collar area. Note: If the person is coughing they are still getting some air but it may not be adequate.

Do NOT slap against the person's back! This can cause aspiration of food or liquids into the lungs. It can also make the item/food that has caused the obstruction to move further into the windpipe/trachea, and cause a full obstruction.

Once you are sure a person is actually choking, stand behind the person. Wrap your arms around the abdomen of the patient with your hands just below the ribcage/diaphragm, at mid-center. You make one hand into a fist and place it against the patient, then place your other hand like a cup over the first hand. Apply a quick, upward thrust using the forward movement of the patient to aid you.

If the obstruction is not cleared immediately, seek urgent medical attention. The patient will likely lose consciousness within minutes if he/she cannot get air. At that point, you can open the person's mouth to look for any obvious obstruction. You can use a finger to sweep the mouth but you must use care to not force an obstruction deeper into the throat/airway. Some types of obstructions can be removed if you can grasp the item, but again, use care to not push an object/obstruction deeper.

More information and practice using the techniques can be obtained by attending a basic first aid course. The American Red Cross, hospitals, and numerous agencies worldwide offer basic CPR/Rescue classes.

Answer 3

Do it when someone is choking hard on food, so the food can be coughed out. If they're choking on saliva or water, their natural coughing can solve that.

Answer 4

The Red Cross holds CPR, and first aid classes regularly. Also many local hospitals and schools that teach first responder courses also hold CPR classes which include the Heimlich Maneuver.