Choking: first aid and the Heimlich manoeuvre

In short: Choking on food or foreign objects can block the airways and become life-threatening within a short time. The Heimlich manoeuvre is a proven technique for specifically removing foreign objects from the airways.

In more detail: Complete airway obstruction often shows itself when the affected person can no longer cough, speak, or breathe.

Note: Not a substitute for medical advice or professional first aid training.

In detail

• Encouraging coughing: As long as the person can still cough or speak, they should be encouraged to cough forcefully, since the object is often dislodged this way on its own.
• Back blows: With severe breathing difficulty, up to five firm blows are given between the shoulder blades with the flat of the hand while the person leans slightly forward.
• Heimlich manoeuvre for adults: From behind, wrap your arms around the person, place a fist just above the navel, and pull sharply inward and upward.
• Procedure for infants: With infants, alternating back blows and chest compressions are used instead of the Heimlich manoeuvre, since the abdomen is still too sensitive.
• Repetition: Back blows and the Heimlich manoeuvre are continued alternately until the object dislodges or professional help arrives.
• Unconsciousness: If the person becomes unconscious, CPR begins immediately while simultaneously calling emergency services.
• After the incident: Even after successfully removing the object, a medical examination should follow to rule out internal injuries (erste-hilfe-grundlagen, wiederbelebung-und-defibrillator-grundlagen).