Performing the Heimlich maneuver on older child, adolescent, or adult
- Stand behind the victim and locate the bottom rib with your hand.
- Move your hand across the abdomen to the area above the navel and make a fist. Keep the thumb side of your fist on the victim's abdomen.
- Place your other hand over your fist and press into the victim's stomach with a quick upward thrust until the foreign object is dislodged.
- Adjust the force of your thrust according to the victim's physique. A heavy 60-year-old man needs a firmer thrust than a slender 15-year-old girl or a 6-year-old child would need.
- Have someone call 911 after you begin the Heimlich maneuver or if the victim has lost consciousness.
Continue performing the Heimlich maneuver until the object is dislodged. If the victim stops breathing, loses a heartbeat, and becomes unresponsive, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately until help arrives.
- Do not perform the Heimlich maneuver on a baby if the baby can breathe, cry or make a normal voice sound, and cough strongly. If the baby cannot, there may be a serious airway blockage.
- Do not attempt to retrieve the object blocking the airway unless it is visible in the mouth. If so, sweep the object out with your finger. By attempting to retrieve an object that is not visible, you risk pushing it farther down the victim's windpipe
Have someone call 911 while you begin the Heimlich maneuver.
