Abdominal Thrusts and CPR

The Heimlich Maneuver

Every year about 3,000 adults die because they accidentally inhale rather than swallow food. The food gets stuck and blocks their trachea, making breathing impossible. Death follows rapidly unless the food or other foreign material can be displaced from the airway.

The Heimlich maneuver, or abdominal thrusts, is recommended for helping a person who's choking on a foreign object (foreign-body airway obstruction). Abdominal thrusts lift the diaphragm and force enough air from the lungs to create an artificial cough. The cough is intended to move and expel an obstructing foreign body in an airway. Each thrust should be given with the intent of removing the obstruction.

Precautions

Incorrect application of the Heimlich maneuver can damage the chest, ribs, and internal organs of the person on whom it is performed. People may also vomit after being treated with the Heimlich maneuver.

Description

Indications that a person's airway is blocked include:

• The person can not speak or cry out.
• The person's face turns blue from lack of oxygen.
• The person desperately grabs at his or her throat.
• The person has a weak cough, and labored breathing produces a high-pitched noise.
• The person does all of the above, then becomes unconscious.

Performing the Heimlich maneuver on adults

• The rescuer stands behind the victim. The victim may either be sitting or standing. The rescuer makes a fist with one hand, and places it, thumb toward the victim, below the rib cage and above the waist.
• The rescuer encircles the victim's waist, placing his other hand on top of the fist.
• In a series of 6-10 sharp and distinct thrusts upward and inward, the rescuer attempts to develop enough pressure to force the foreign object back up the trachea. If the maneuver fails, it is repeated.

It is important not to give up if the first attempt fails. As the victim is deprived of oxygen, the muscles of the trachea relax slightly. Because of this loosening, it is possible that the foreign object may be expelled on a second or third attempt.

If the victim is unconscious, the rescuer should lay him or her on the floor, bend the chin forward, make sure the tongue is not blocking the airway, and feel in the mouth for foreign objects, being careful not to push any farther into the airway. The rescuer kneels astride the victim's thighs and places his fists between the bottom of the victim's breastbone and the navel. The rescuer then executes a series of 6-10 sharp compressions by pushing inward and upward.

After the abdominal thrusts, the rescuer repeats the process of lifting the chin, moving the tongue, feeling for and possibly removing the foreign material. If the airway is not clear, the rescuer repeats the abdominal thrusts as often as necessary.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency medical procedure for a victim of cardiac arrest or, in some circumstances, respiratory arrest. CPR is performed in hospitals or in the community by laypersons or by emergency response professionals.

For 50 years CPR has consisted of the combination of artificial blood circulation with artificial respiration, i.e. chest compressions and lung ventilation. However, in March 2008 the American Heart Association and the European Resuscitation Council, in a reversal of policy, endorsed the effectiveness of chest compressions alone--without artificial respiration--for adult victims who collapse suddenly in cardiac arrest. CPR is generally continued, usually in the presence of advanced life support, until the patient regains a heart beat (called "return of spontaneous circulation" or "ROSC") or is declared dead.

CPR is unlikely to restart the heart, but rather its purpose is to maintain a flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and the heart, thereby delaying tissue death and extending the brief window of opportunity for a successful resuscitation without permanent brain damage. Advanced life support (most commonly Defibrillation), is usually needed to restart the heart.

"Learn CPR" is a free public service supported by the University of Washington School of Medicine. You can go to their web site listed here. "Learn CPR"

Below are a few links from the site to learn more. This is not formal training on CPR, but a guideline to show you the basics. It is highly recommended (and often required by employers) that you attend a CPR course in your area.

CPR information

STANDARD CPR FOR ADULTS - CPR in three simple steps

HANDS-ONLY CPR FOR ADULTS - CPR in two simple steps

STANDARD CPR POCKET GUIDE - Printable CPR instructions

HANDS-ONLY CPR POCKET GUIDE - Printable CPR instructions

CPR video demonstrations

STANDARD CPR FOR ADULTS VIDEO - Standard CPR techniques for adults

CHOKING ADULT VIDEO - First aid for a choking conscious adult

Choking Information

CONSCIOUS ADULTS - First aid for a conscious adult

Fun Facts-visit the web site for more

CPR FAQ - Have a question about CPR? Check here first

CPR FACTS - Facts and general information about CPR

CPR LINKS - Links to other great CPR resources

CPR QUIZ - Think you're an expert? Take our quiz and test yourself

CPR HISTORY - Interested in learning about the history of CPR?

SELF CPR? - Click here to view information about this phenomenon.