Developer of the Heimlich Maneuver, Henry Heimlich, now 96, used his anti-choking technique for the first time to save a person's life. The Cincinnati, Ohio physician was in the dining room of his retirement home when another resident, Patty Ris, age 87, choked on a piece of hamburger. Heimlich successfully dislodged it and Ris was fine.
"When I used it, and she recovered quickly, it made me appreciate how wonderful it has been to be able to save all those lives," Heimlich told the Cincinnati Enquirer.
From the Heimlich Institute, here's how to do the Heimlich Maneuver for choking adults:
• From behind, wrap your arms around the victim's waist.
• Make a fist and place the thumb side of your fist against the victim's upper abdomen, below the ribcage and above the navel.
• Grasp your fist with your other hand and press into their upper abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Do not squeeze the ribcage; confine the force of the thrust to your hands.
• Repeat until object is expelled.
And for choking infants:
Lay the child down, face up, on a firm surface and kneel or stand at the victim's feet, or hold infant on your lap facing away from you. Place the middle and index fingers of both your hands below his rib cage and above his navel. Press into the victim's upper abdomen with a quick upward thrust; do not squeeze the rib cage. Be very gentle. Repeat until object is expelled.
If the Victim has not recovered, proceed with CPR. The Victim should see a physician immediately after rescue.
Don't slap the victim's back. (This could make matters worse.)
And for yourself:
• Make a fist and place the thumb side of your fist against your upper abdomen, below the ribcage and above the navel.
• Grasp your fist with your other hand and press into your upper abdomen with a quick upward thrust.
• Repeat until object is expelled.
