Heimlich maneuver on conscious child
Heimlich maneuver on conscious child
Heimlich maneuver on infant
Heimlich maneuver on infant
Heimlich maneuver on infant
Heimlich maneuver on infant

Heimlich maneuver

Definition:

The Heimlich maneuver is an emergency technique for preventing suffocation when a victim's airway (windpipe) becomes blocked by piece of food or other object. It can be used safely on both adults and children, but most experts do not recommend it for infants less than 1 year old. It can also be self-administered.

For a conscious victim who is sitting or standing, position yourself behind the victim and reach your arms around his or her waist. Place your fist, thumb side in, just above the victim's navel and grab the fist tightly with your other hand. Pull your fist abruptly upwards and inwards to increase airway pressure behind the obstructing object and force it from the windpipe. The procedure may need to be repeated several times before the object is dislodged.

A related technique exists for a victim who is, or who becomes, unconscious.

If repeated attempts do not free the airway, an emergency incision in the windpipe (tracheostomy or cricothyrotomy) may be necessary. See further information on:



Alternative Names:
Choking - Heimlich maneuver; Abdominal thrusts


Review Date: 2/18/2002
Reviewed By: Todd Severson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.