Heimlich Maneuver

[TenPenny]

I heard an interesting documentary last night from Australia about the Heimlich Maneuver, and Dr Heimlich.

Despite his claims, there seems to be no proof that the maneuver is any better than the previous back slaps etc that were used to stop choking - in fact, in Australia, they specifically do not teach this maneuver in first aid.

It sounds like he is a nasty piece of work, trying to discredit anyone who disagrees with him on anything, and trying to get everyone to believe that his abdominal thrusts are the only way to stop choking...it was quite an interesting piece.

(He also believes that letting people with Aids get malaria and develop high fevers will cure them by killing the disease.)

 

[Kakato]

When I did my last first aid course the instructor told us why they call them abdominal thrusts now,seems the good dr. patented his maneuver and wanted a royalty whenever it was mentioned in the first aid books.

 

[Walter]

I like to call it the Hindlick manoeuver.

 

[Nuggler]

I like to call it the Hindlick manoeuver.

I ain't gonna comment, Walter.

That might be a first.:lol:

Tell your friends you saw it here.

 

[EagleSmack]

From personal experience I know it works.

We were taught the Heimlich in the Marines.

Three back slaps and the abdominal thrust.

I actually saved another Marines life as he was choking on a piece of Navy issued steak using this.

We were on the Mess Deck and another Marine pointed across the table...

"He's CHOKING!"

I saw my comrade with his hands around his throat. I jumped up...3 back slaps... ripped him out of his chair...and then the thrust. It came out on the thrust and not the slaps. I was shaking so much! I sat down and continued eating and everyone just stared. A sailor finally said...

"Don't they teach you Marines to chew your food?"

That broke the silence...everyone laughed.

I NEVER let him forget who saved his life! :lol:

 

[karrie]

I was always taught that back slaps can drive the food further down, so the only time to use a back slap is on someone small enough that you can flip them upside down.

Thankfully I've never had to use either method, but, the idea of getting someone upside down if you're going to be trying to dislodge anything, was reinforced when I was taught how to do chest physio on my son after one of his chest infections put him in the hospital again.

 

[TenPenny]

I was always taught that back slaps can drive the food further down, so the only time to use a back slap is on someone small enough that you can flip them upside down.

That's what Dr Heimlich insists is the case, but apparently there is NO scientific proof to this claim, and the Aussies teach back slaps.

Heimlich has never been able to provide any scientific proof to back up his claims.

 

[EagleSmack]

The back slaps didn't help at all. It was the two handed abdominal thrust that dislodged it.

I was just being a good Marine and doing as they taught. ;-)

 

[sirlorenzo]

Is it true that if you do this maneuver wrong you can inflict some rather serious injuries?

 

[TenPenny]

Is it true that if you do this maneuver wrong you can inflict some rather serious injuries?

yes, especially in small children - lots of abdominal injuries.

 

[Nuggler]

Is it true that if you do this maneuver wrong you can inflict some rather serious injuries?

Yep, but if you don't try, they will die........

Children. A tad lest robust on the thrust.

 

[karrie]

yes, especially in small children - lots of abdominal injuries.

My children are 9 and 8 years old, and even though my daughter (my oldest) comes to my shoulder, she is still small enough for me to flip over my knee and slap on the back as a first attempt.

 

[Cannuck]

Is it true that if you do this maneuver wrong you can inflict some rather serious injuries?

If you do CPR the right way, you will probably inflict injuries (especially on old and brittle bones). Injured or dead, take your pick.

 

[EagleSmack]

I reckon I could have let him choke. ;-)