Health Tip: Performing the Heimlich Maneuver

(HealthDay News) — Choking is the 4th-leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States, the National Safety Council says.

The Heimlich maneuver is an effective way to help a person who is choking, but is not recommended for children under age 1.

Here are the agency’s suggestions for performing the Heimlich maneuver:

Stand behind the choking victim with one leg forward between the victim’s legs.
For a child, move down to the child’s level and keep your head to one side.
Reach around the abdomen and locate the navel.
Place the thumb side of your fist against the abdomen just above the navel.
Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust inward and upward into the choking person’s abdomen with quick jerks.
If the person is pregnant, or you cannot get your arms around the person, give chest thrusts from behind; avoid squeezing the ribs with your arms.
Continue thrusts until the victim expels the object or becomes unresponsive.
After choking stops, seek additional medical care immediately.