How to Perform the Heimlich Manoeuvre

The first step to performing the Heimlich maneuver is to find the person who is having a medical emergency. If you are unsure of the location, lay the person on their back and put your arms around the abdomen. Position your fist above the belly button and use a sharp upward thrust with your hands. Once the object is loose, repeat the maneuver as necessary until the person is able to breathe freely again.

In performing the Heimlich maneuver, use your strongest hand to push out the foreign object from the victim’s airway. The hand should be placed below the ribcage and above the navel. The strength of the hand should be such that it should produce a jarring sensation. Make sure the person isn’t lying flat on the floor. When the person is not breathing, the hand should be held behind the navel.

If the person is not able to speak, you should ask them if they are breathing. If the answer is “yes,” then the victim is breathing, and has a good air exchange. You can also ask if the person is choking by pressing the hand to the throat. If the person can’t speak, you should perform the Heimlich maneuver. If the victim is coughing and can’t speak, call for emergency medical attention.