![\"\"](\"https:\/\/underbellyofsunshine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/11\/Choking.jpg\" "\\"Choking\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nIf someone you know or even if someone you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know is choking here are the steps to performing the Heimlich maneuver<\/p>\n
Steps<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Determine if the person is a choking victim<\/strong>. A choking victim will often have their hands around their throat and a desperate or panicked look on their face. Actual choking victims are getting no air through to their lungs (called a complete airway obstruction), so they will not be able to consent to a question “Are you okay?” or “Do you need help?” except by nodding their head1.<\/p>\n 2. Get the victim in a standing position.<\/strong><\/p>\n 3. Stand behind the victim<\/strong>. Stand with your legs separated, to form a “tripod” in the event the victim faints or becomes unconscious.<\/p>\n 4. Reach around the victim from behind.<\/strong><\/p>\n 5. Make a fist just above their navel with your dominant hand<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 6. Wrap your other hand around this fist<\/strong>. Be sure to tuck your thumbs in to prevent injury to the victim.<\/p>\n 7. Pull inward and upward into the victim’s abdomen with quick upward thrusts<\/strong>. The motion should be similar to the letter “J” \u00e2\u20ac\u201c in and then up. Your thrusts should be quick and forceful, as if you are trying to jerk them off their feet from this position. Do several upward thrusts until they cough out the obstacle obstructing their air way.<\/p>\n 8. Check to see if normal breathing has returned.<\/strong> Once the object is gone, most people will return to breathing normally. If normal breathing has not returned or if the person is unconscious, and alternate between abdominal thrusts and rescue breathing until help arrives.<\/p>\n