How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver, Abdominal Thrusts

Whenever you eat, there's always a chance that you might choke. Of course, it is necessary to be careful and not eat too quickly or talk with your mouth full of food, but sometimes things still slip into your windpipe. This can happen to anybody, so it is important to know how to perform the Heimlich maneuver. The Heimlich maneuver may also simply be called "abdominal thrusts." Though it sounds like it may be a type of exercise, don't be fooled by the name. Instead, be prepared to help a choking victim by following these steps.

The first thing you need to determine is if the person is actually choking. Remember these things, but don't carry around a checklist. Actually reading through the checklist may not give the person enough time when help is needed.

If the person is coughing, she is not choking. Instead, encourage her to continue coughing to dislodge whatever is stuck in the windpipe, but not completely blocking it. However, do not hit the person on the back as this can cause the item to get lodged in the windpipe and block it.

You can definitely tell that a person is choking if she knows the universal sign for choking which is clutching her hands to her throat. If this is happening, you do not have to be concerned about the other steps. However, not everybody knows this sign. If it seems that a person is choking but is not giving the hand sign, quickly and mentally go through this checklist. The inability to cough or speak, labored or noisy breathing, and bluish lips, skin, and/or nails are all signals of choking. Loss of consciousness is a sure sign, but if this happens, do not do the Heimlich maneuver.

Once you know that a person is choking, send somebody to call 911. Somebody in the area should be helpful enough to go call even if you are out by yourself.