Choking Alone? Master the Heimlich Maneuver technique for Immediate Relief

 

Choking happens when a foreign object gets stuck in the throat, blocking the airflow. For adults, the cause of this blockade is foreign particles, and for children, the cause is usually foreign objects or small toys. Choking can be life-threatening as the oxygen supply is cut off from the brain. As a result, it is important to know the technique of the Heimlich maneuver.

But what happens when you are all alone? The question arises whether you can do the Heimlich maneuver on yourself. What happens when you have no help and you need to perform it yourself?

In this blog, we are going to look at the steps of performing the Heimlich maneuver on yourself.

What is the Heimlich Maneuver?

Do you know that choking causes unintentional death? Many people die of choking if the Heimlich maneuver is not performed on time. It may surprise you to know that many people die of choking food, if there is no timely treatment. 

The Heimlich maneuver, otherwise known as the abdominal thrust, is a technique to expel a foreign object trapped in the windpipe. The technique involves lifting your diaphragm and expelling air from the lungs. As a result, the foreign object is also expelled from the windpipe or throat.

However, always remember that even if you perform the Heimlich maneuver, you will always need medical help afterward.

Chocking is terrifying and often causes a panicky situation, which can happen to anyone, anywhere. When this happens, people often get confused about what to do next. However, what happens when you are alone and choke on food? Can you perform this life-saving technique on yourself?

Let’s find out.

Can You Do the Heimlich Maneuver on Yourself?

The answer is Yes, You Can, however, you need to teach yourself properly. Doing this life-saving technique requires skill and, thereby, performing it all by yourself. Various AHA-certified institutions teach bystanders and the general public how to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

Steps to Perform Heimlich Maneuver on Yourself

• Access the situation of whether you can cough forcefully or speak. 

• If you are unable to speak or cough, you can perform the Heimlich maneuver.

For this, follow the steps listed below:

• Make a fist with one hand, and the thumb of your fist must be placed below the rib cage and above the belly button. 

• Grasp the fist with the other hand and press it firmly on your abdomen. 

• Then you need to apply upward pressure with a forceful thrust. 

• And then continue the thrust until the object is removed from the throat.

However, if, at any point in time, you feel dizzy or unconscious, you can stop performing the Heimlich maneuver and get medical attention.

Also, even after performing the Heimlich maneuver, you need to seek medical attention because the objection may have caused some damage to the airway or infected it.

Is there any risk when you perform the Heimlich maneuver on Yourself?

Yes, it can cause damage to the abdominal organ and the tissue. It may also cause internal bleeding or damage to the stomach, diaphragm, or hernia.

Therefore, it is always better to be prepared for any risk of choking with the right technique of the Heimlich maneuver.

As mentioned previously, several AHA-certified institutions help people learn airway management, first aid courses, or CPR. The healthcare professionals visit the preferred location of the individuals or groups and teach them so that no one has to reschedule their busy schedules.