An emergency treatment for choking, in which a strong upward push beneath the breastbone of a patient clasped from behind forces the blockage out of the windpipe.
The Heimlich maneuver is a first-aid technique used to assist choking victims. Its purpose is to dislodge the obstructing material and clear the airway.
To perform the Heimlich maneuver, the first aider positions themselves behind the victim and covers one fist with the other. They then place their fists centrally just below the victim’s rib cage and deliver a firm and upward abdominal thrust. This action simulates a coughing motion, helping to expel air from the airways and potentially dislodge any obstruction.