Introduction
Health emergencies can sometimes be very hazardous and fatal. Complications may arise from our usual practices such as talking while taking meals thereby causing a choke. It is imperative to mention that some conditions resulting from such kind of events may lead to death or create a lot of health complications in a person. Therefore, it is a noble call to everyone to be armed with necessary skills to resuscitate lives should we be faced with the same challenges at home, workplaces, learning institutions or at a local pub. It thus my pleasure to introduce you to my findings on Heimlich maneuvers. Most of the findings are based on personal experience as well as the research-based findings by reputable organizations like the Red Cross.
Understanding the Heimlich Maneuver
First, it is important to understand that Heimlich maneuver is an emergency treatment that is offered to persons that suffer chocking as a result of hindrance of air penetration along the esophagus commonly known as airway or windpipe. It is an emergency process that is called for whenever a piece of food or air takes a wrong path during meals or breathing respectively. Henry Heimlich (1974), an American surgeon gave a unique observation free from the norm at the time that food or any other particles that caused chocking by obstructing the esophagus along the movement between the mouth and the lungs were not removed by striking hard blows on the victim’s back. It prompted him to carry out laboratory experiments while using dogs to prove the point which over the years has been in use for victims of airway obstruction. At the same time, you must understand and appreciate that Heimlich maneuver is a manual thrust procedure but in cases that it fails to resuscitate a victim, the practitioner might be compelled to advance his or her performance through tracheotomy which also is a process useful in averting suffocation (Brennan, et al, 2013). Therefore, it is the reason we have gathered here to have a mastery of such a great piece to solving our daily unfortunates.
Procedures for Handling Choked Persons
The procedures for handling chocked persons revolve around the course, age and positions of the victims at the time of the incidence. Ladies and gentlemen, it is imperative to understand that the general sign of a chocked person is trying to clutch the throat. However, in some cases, that might not be the case which then calls for other ways of identification. One of these indicators is a failure to speak or loud breathing of the victim. In some cases, a person may have his or her body parts becoming bluish or dusky or much worse losing conscious. Either way, a solution must be found to bring back life. Students when you are alone with the victim start the process immediately then dial your local emergency number for assistance (Heimlich. 1974).
Performing the Heimlich Maneuver
If you want to conduct the process on another person, please stand behind him or she then envelops your limbs around the waist then tip the victim slightly ahead. You need to curl one of your hands and make it somewhat above the victim’s navel. Still in that position, clutch the fist with the other limb then force down into the abdomen with a fast, increasing thrust in a way like you are attempting to lift the person up. You need to continue the process until the obstruction is removed. However, if such unfortunate scenario happens to yourself put your fist just above your navel then clutch the fist with the remaining limb. Please ensure you lean over a hard surface like a chair before you thrust your fist inward and upward. A similar but more cautious procedure is used while dealing with a pregnant or obese person. In such a situation, please place your limbs a little higher than the normal process, the foot of the breastbone, slightly above the fusion of the lowest ribs then continue with the thrusts as usual (Ichikawa. et al. 2017).
Additional Steps and Considerations
Please note that when a person is unconscious, lower him or her on the floor then clear the windpipe. If you can identify the obstruction, insert your finger into the mouth and clear the mess making sure that you don’t push it further down especially while handling a child. Unfortunately, if the person does not respond despite the above measures, please begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); sometimes the chest compressions are vital in removing the objects. Also, a similar process is necessary for an infant less than one year although you will have to be more cautious with the thumbs and while inserting your finger into their mouths (Ickikawa. et al., 2017).
Tips and Warnings
While handling such a person you need to be aware of the following tips and warnings. First, if a person is cautious and coughing harder, encourage them to oust the obstructing object through own efforts. Secondly, if the person exhibits faint coughing, it tells that the flow of air is minimal so begin the Heimlich process. Thirdly, restrain from breaking the victim’s bones by supporting their breastbone or lower ribs while conducting the method and if the choking continues, please call the hospital emergency number for further assistance.
Conclusion
In summary, Heimlich maneuver is a first aid method which should be embraced by all, but it should not be a shortcut to the right medical treatments. As I sum up on the topic, please note the following: the victim should be lying on the belly on a hard surface to enable convenient thrusting. In cases where the impeding object can be removed insert your finger gently to avoid pushing it deeper and lastly, after the process, please ensure the victim seeks further medical attention. It is on the findings this discussion that I find Heimlich maneuver as a timely and appropriate means of life resuscitation in times of choking.
Works Cited
Brennan, M. M., et al. "Paediatric resuscitation for nurses working in Ghana: an educational intervention." International nursing review 60.1 (2013): 136-143.
Heimlich, Henry J., Milton H. Uhley, and Frank H. Netter. "The Heimlich maneuver." Clinical symposia (Summit, NJ: 1957). Vol. 31. No. 3. CIBA-GEIBY, 1979.
Ichikawa, Michitaro, et al. "Influence of Body Position During Heimlich Maneuver to Relieve Supralaryngeal Obstruction: A Mannequin Study." (2017): A13807-A13807.
