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Heimlich maneuver - Overview

Alternative Names

Choking - Heimlich maneuver; Abdominal thrusts

Definition of Heimlich maneuver:

The Heimlich maneuver is an emergency technique for preventing suffocation when a person's airway (windpipe) becomes blocked by a piece of food or other object.

Considerations:

The Heimlich maneuver can be used safely on both adults and children, but most experts do not recommend it for infants less than 1 year old. You can also perform the maneuver on yourself.

Heimlich maneuver on adult

Heimlich maneuver on infant

Choking

Heimlich maneuver on an adult

Heimlich maneuver on conscious child

Heimlich maneuver on infant

Reviewed last on: 7/8/2009
Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Hirshon JM. Basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adults. In: Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Cline DM, eds. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2004:chap 12.

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