Heimlich Maneuver Steps

Learning the Heimlich Maneuver

Online CPR and first aid renewal courses can help keep you up to date on basic life support (BLS) training, CPR/AED, and AED training. Being certified in these areas can also earn you continuing education credits.

Being able to learn first aid online offers convenience, flexibility in busy schedules, and online supports to help you learn and maintain these lifesaving skills. The Heimlich maneuver is one of the many first aid and CPR techniques you will learn in a certification class, which is beneficial for teachers.

Understanding emergency response is crucial in various situations. The Heimlich maneuver is used to help dislodge an obstruction that is blocking the airway and hindering the ability to breathe. In the workplace, having AED certification can be crucial. The Heimlich maneuver steps are not difficult to learn and reviewing them often will help build confidence so that you will remember what to do and how to do it correctly in the event that you ever find yourself in a situation that requires your assistance in saving the life of another individual.

Here are the steps to performing the Heimlich Maneuver:

1. Stand behind the person and place your footing with one foot slightly in front of the other for increased stability and support.

2. Make a fist with one hand and place it over the navel area.

3. Grab your fist with the other hand.

4. Perform abdominal thrusts by pulling in and upward between five and ten times until the blockage becomes free.

It is important that you do not attempt to do CPR on any individual who is choking. Performing CPR on an individual who is choking could cause the obstruction to move further down into the throat, making it more difficult to rescue the person in need. Chest compressions can be performed as well to help clear the blockage if your person is passed out.

Heimlich Maneuver Purpose in First Aid

The Heimlich maneuver can be performed on all ages and stages of individuals to address airway obstruction and become CPR/AED certified. AED training and continuing education credits are also available through various certification programs. Online BLS renewal course programs and online CPR classes for healthcare providers and teachers go into more depth. In the workplace, AEDs are essential for meeting job and regulatory requirements.

These life-saving techniques are crucial in emergency situations.

The technique for the Heimlich maneuver is different for pregnant women and obese individuals.

1. Stand behind the person and place your footing with one foot slightly in front of the other for increased stability and support.

2. Place your arms underneath the victim’s armpits.

3. Make a fist with one hand and place it at chest level between the breasts and place your other hand on top of the fisted hand.

4. Perform chest thrusts in a straight and inward motion that is quick and sharp so that the lungs will compress.

5. Continue until obstruction has been cleared.

Conclusion

Remember to have your victim be examined by a doctor, even if you were able to dislodge the obstruction yourself. Sometimes the body will go into shock and the victim will not realize at that moment that there was any internal damage done to the body. If your victim is unable to seek emergency medical services, observe them closely for shock or trauma for several hours and seek emergency medical help if the victim’s condition does not improve. Learning first aid and CPR saves lives.  Renew CPR BLS online certification today!