1. The Heimlich Maneuver By Jose Gonzalez

2. Introduction There’s never a warning before a person gets an object caught in their throat and starts choking

3. Choking Choking is the body’s way of trying to remove a foreign object

4. Causes of Choking Eating (especially eating and laughing at the same time, eating too fast, and failing to chew food well enough.) Alcohol and drug consumption (even a small amount affects awareness.) Trauma to the head and face (bleeding can cause choking) Small objects swallowed by children (beads, toys)

5. Causes of Choking Food Toys Alcohol Drugs

6. Lack of Oxygen Without oxygen the brain can begin to die within 4 to 6 minutes. By learning the Heimlich Maneuver-a simple life-saving technique-you may literally save the life of a choking victim.

7. Heimlich Maneuver The Heimlich Maneuver is the most effective way to remove something stuck in an adult’s or older child’s throat. (Note: another technique is used for an infant, small child, or when someone becomes unconscious.) It lifts the diaphragm and forces enough air from the lungs to remove the obstruction.

8. When Do I Use The Heimlich? The person is grabbing the throat with the hand (the universal sign for choking) You notice they are gagging You hear a weak ineffective cough, noisy breathing, or high-pitched sounds The person is starting to look blue

9. How To Do The Heimlich Stand behind the choking person and wrap your arm around his or her waist Place thumb side of the fist against middle of person’s abdomen just above the navel and well below the ribs Press your fist into the person’s abdomen with quick, upward thrusts Repeat abdominal thrusts until the object is coughed up

10. Always remember… Following the expulsion of the object, keep the victim still and get medical help Complications can arise from the incident or from the measures that were taken

11. Important Notice This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of all medical conditions.