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Heimlich Maneuver

Choking is one of the most common causes of death in the United States despite being easily preventable. If you see someone choking, call medical personnel immediately. For pregnant women and infants, consult the following website: Healthline.com 

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Choking Symptoms:  

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  • Hands grasping at throat

  • Inability to talk

  • Wheezing/Troubled breathing 

  • Cough

  • Blue skin, lips, and/or nails

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Choking Prevention (Heimlich Maneuver): ​

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  1. Get the person to stand up. 

  2. ​Position yourself behind the person.

  3. Lean the person forward and give five strong blows to their back with the heel of your hand.

  4. Place your arms around their waist.

  5. Make a fist and place it just above the belly button, thumb side in.

  6. Grab the fist with your other hand and push it inward and upward at the same time. Perform five of these abdominal thrusts.

  7. Repeat until the object is expelled and the person can breathe or cough on their own.

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If the person can’t stand up, straddle their waist, facing their head. Push your fist inward and upward in the same manner as you would if they were standing.

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