How to save a life if food gets stuck? Let's learn exactly about the emergency first aid method (Heimlich Maneuver).

Imagine that you are all having a meal together as a family, or you are happily chatting with friends at a party. Suddenly, someone starts coughing, and after a while, the cough stops, their face turns blue, and they can't speak, so they grab their neck with their hands... This is really a very scary and stressful situation, isn't it? But if you don't panic and know exactly what to do, you can save a precious life. Today we are talking about a first aid method that everyone should know to save us in such an emergency.

What is the Heimlich Maneuver?

Simply put, this is an emergency first aid method used to remove something stuck in someone's throat, such as food or a toy, and make it difficult to breathe. Specifically, this method is used when food or another object is stuck in the throat or in our windpipe (trachea). This is also called "abdominal thrusts", which means a push on the stomach area. The method is used slightly differently for adults and children.

How does this system work?

This is a very interesting technique. It was invented by Dr. Henry Heimlich in 1974. He noticed that even when someone had something stuck in their throat, there was still air left in their lungs. So, he thought that if you gave the person a quick push in the abdomen, just below the rib cage, just like you would squeeze a balloon to release air, the pressure from that remaining air in the lungs would force the stuck thing out of their throat.

This idea was actually successful. Initially, the medical community did not accept it very much. Instead, the backstroke method was the popular method for about ten years. But later, the Heimlich Maneuver method was accepted as the best first aid that can be given to a conscious adult. However, the backstroke method is still recommended for small babies. Also, if someone loses consciousness, this method is not the one to be used at that time, but the emergency artificial respiration method, which is `CPR`.

When should you use the Heimlich Maneuver?

This is the most important thing. This first aid should only be given to someone who is conscious and cannot breathe, speak, or cough properly . There are several signs that can help you tell if someone has something stuck in their throat.

However, if someone is still able to cough, talk, and breathe well, never use this method. At such a time, all you need to do is encourage them by saying, "Cough more, cough better." Because a good cough often clears up the stuff that is stuck. This first aid should only be given in times of real life danger.

You can easily understand this difference from the table below.

How to give this first aid to an adult? (Step by step)

Okay, now let's see what the correct way to do this is for an adult or a young child. Don't panic, just remember these steps.

1. Stand behind the person: If the trapped person is standing, stand behind them. You can maintain your balance better if you stand with your legs slightly apart.

2. Put your hands around the waist: Put your hands around the person's stomach.

3. Make a fist: Make a fist with one of your hands. Keep your thumb inside the fist.

4. Find the right spot: Now this is the most important thing. Place the hand with the fist about two inches above the victim's navel and just below the rib cage . To be precise, the soft part at the top of the abdomen.

5. Hold with the other hand: Now with your other hand, hold the hand that was holding the handle firmly.

6. Give a quick push: Now give a quick, sharp push inward and upward . It's like the shape of the English letter "J". It's more effective if you push without bending your elbows, but keeping them straight. Do 5 such pushes in a row.

7. Continue: Continue doing this for 5 thrusts each time until the object is dislodged or the person loses consciousness.

How does this system change for different people?

The method we just discussed is usually used for adults. However, the method for doing this is a little different for young children, babies, and pregnant mothers.

How do you do this for young children (1-5 years old)?

A few minor adjustments need to be made when doing this for a child under 5 years old, or weighing less than 20 kilograms (45 pounds).

• Get down to the child's level: Either kneel behind the child or sit on a chair and get down to the child's height.
• Do it with less force: Don't push as hard as you would for an adult. Instead , use less force , but give 5 quick pushes. All other steps are the same as for an adult.

Isn't it okay to do this to a baby (under a year old)? So what do you do?

This is something to keep in mind. It is not recommended to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on babies under 12 months (years) of age for any reason. Instead, we use a combination of back blows and chest thrusts.

Please see the steps clearly in the table below.

What should a pregnant mother or an obese person do?

Since it is difficult to reach around the stomach of a pregnant mother or an obese person, and pushing on the stomach is dangerous, we modify this method slightly.

• Instead of wrapping your arms around the person's stomach, wrap them under their armpits and bring them to the center of their chest .
• You should place your fisted hand on the middle bone of your chest (the `sternum`), not on your stomach.
• Then give 5 sharp thrusts straight back .

What do you do if you get stuck when you're alone?

This is also something to think about. If you get stuck in a piece of food while you're home alone, you can do this first aid yourself.

• Method 1: As you would do for an adult, place one hand on the handle, just above the navel, just below the ribs. With the other hand, hold the handle firmly and push rapidly inward and upward . Do this until the blockage comes out.
• Method 2: Go to a hard surface, such as a table or chair. Place your upper abdomen on the edge and push down quickly. The pressure from this can also help to dislodge the blockage.

Are there any risks with this method? What should be done after first aid?

The Heimlich Maneuver is a life-saving, safe technique. It doesn't require any medical training to perform. However, if it's done incorrectly, that is, if you push too hard in the wrong place, it can cause damage. It can break a rib or cause minor injuries to internal organs. But in a life-or-death situation, it's the best thing to do.

How can you protect children, especially young children, from getting stuck?

This risk is much greater for young children. Therefore, as parents, we need to be very careful.

• Do not leave small toys, coins, or battery pieces that babies and young children can swallow in places where they can get hold of them.
• When serving food, cut it into very small pieces .
• Be especially careful with round foods that can easily get stuck, such as peanuts, grapes, and sausages .
• Avoid giving things like hard toffee and chewing gum to young children.
• Always keep your eyes on your child while they are eating and playing. Avoid letting them jump up and down and laugh while feeding.

This knowledge will help you one day to prevent an accident that could happen in a matter of seconds, to save a life. Share this with your friends and family. Because, in an emergency, not panicking and doing the right thing is what heroism is.