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Choking or suffocation typically occurs when a person swallows a foreign object (often food) that becomes lodged in their windpipe, preventing normal breathing. This condition can lead to anxiety, death, or serious injury in just a few minutes. The Heimlich Maneuver is the most common method used to assist someone who is choking. If you're alone and no one is around to help, you can still save yourself. Learn these simple steps to understand how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on yourself.
Steps
Preparing to Use the Heimlich Maneuver
Try to cough the foreign object out. If you feel something stuck in your throat, attempt to cough it out. If you cough hard enough, you might not need to perform the Heimlich Maneuver. However, if you can't dislodge the object and are having trouble breathing, you need to perform first aid quickly, especially if you're alone.
- You must find a way to expel the object before losing consciousness.
- After completing the Heimlich Maneuver, continue to cough if necessary.
Clench your fists. To prepare for performing the stomach push method on your own, the first step is to position your hands correctly. Use your strongest hand to form a fist and place it just above your navel and below your ribcage.
- Make sure your hand is in the right spot to avoid injuring your ribs and to give you the best chance to push the foreign object as high as possible.
- This hand positioning mirrors the traditional method of performing the stomach push.
Use your other hand to secure the fist. After positioning your fist properly, you need to use your other hand to apply more force. Enclose your fist with this hand, ensuring the fist is entirely within the grasp of the other hand.
- This step helps you increase the force during the stomach push method.
Performing the Stomach Push Method
Press your stomach and push upwards. To expel the foreign object, press your fist firmly into your diaphragm or abdomen and push upwards in a J-shaped motion. Repeat this several times.
- If the object is not yet expelled, you may need to increase the force using an external object.
Increase the force with an appropriate object. Find a sturdy object around waist height to lean on and bend your body. It could be a table, chair, or kitchen counter. While keeping your hands clenched in front of you, bend toward the object, allowing your fist to rest between the object and your abdomen. Use the leverage from the object to amplify the force.
- This method helps to apply greater force to your diaphragm, aiding in the expulsion of the foreign object.
Repeat the steps. It's possible that you won't expel the foreign object on your first attempt. Quickly repeat the bending motion against a sturdy object until the foreign object is cleared from your body. If successful, you should be able to breathe normally.
- Though it's natural to feel anxious, it's important to stay calm. Panic will only raise your heart rate, make breathing harder, and worsen the situation.
- Once the foreign object is expelled, sit down and regain your breath.
- If you still feel discomfort or a sore throat, it might be best to consult a doctor.
- If you're unable to expel the object, call emergency services at 115.
