Condition
Heimlich maneuver on self
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.Published 19 March 20051 min read
Key points
- Place the thumb below your rib cage and above your navel.
- Press it into your abdomen with a quick upward thrust.
- You can also lean over a table edge, chair, or railing.
- Press your upper abdomen against the edge with a quick thrust.
Information
If you are choking on something, you can perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself:
1. Make a fist. Place the thumb below your rib cage and above your navel.
2. Grasp your fist with your other hand. Press it into your abdomen with a quick upward thrust.
You can also lean over a table edge, chair, or railing. Press your upper abdomen against the edge with a quick thrust.
If you need to, you should repeat this motion until the object blocking the airway is expelled.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
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