How To Do The Heimlich?

Ask “Are you choking?”

If the person can cough or speak, encourage coughing

Call emergency services if the airway is blocked or the person cannot breathe

Stand behind the person

Wrap your arms around their waist

Make a fist with one hand

Place the thumb side of your fist just above the navel and below the ribcage

Grasp your fist with your other hand

Give quick inward and upward thrusts

Repeat until the object comes out or the person becomes unresponsive

If the person becomes unresponsive, lower them to the ground and start CPR

For a pregnant or very large person, place your hands higher on the chest and give chest thrusts instead

For a child, use the same technique with less force

For an infant, use back blows and chest thrusts instead of the Heimlich maneuver

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