Why does heimlich work

It was the first reported use of the maneuver, it had worked, and it was by an average civilian who'd just happened to have the good fortune to read about it seven days earlier. Newspapers ate it up, and a string of similar stories spread nationwide over the summer. Heimlich had always been insistent that back blows were unsafe, calling them " death blows " at every opportunity, and by he'd convinced US Surgeon General C. Everett Koop to call the use of back blows lethal.

All the publicity and anecdotal success stories bled over into a field that typically demands objective, measurable proof, and that's around the time all the flip-flopping began. From to , the American Red Cross had recommended you use the heel of your hand to deliver blows to a choking person's back, between the shoulder blades , but in , based on the not scientifically supported advice of the American Broncho-Esophagological Association, it cautioned not to give back blows, but it also didn't endorse abdominal thrusts.

From to , the American Red Cross said to use back blows first and abdominal thrusts if those don't work. By , it decided back blows were dangerous again and that you should only try abdominal thrusts. And in , it reverted to recommending five back blows as your initial resort and, if that doesn't work, five abdominal thrusts, cycling between five of this and five of that until the object dislodges.

The AHA has been more consistent, but also more puzzling: By , it was recommending abdominal thrusts alongside back blows, and by the organization cut back blows out of the picture entirely. It still teaches abdominal thrusts as the only method to help a choking person.

Heimlich's obsession with studies played a part in convincing the American Red Cross and AHA, and all the hospitals, first aid instructional courses, and schools that follow their guidelines. Heimlich would be first in line for the dog-dunking booth, but not so; he joined forces with animal rights groups to have the " cruel " study shut down.

Not wanting to " start another war ," the study's organizer canceled it. Good news for puppies! One of the problems with using the Heimlich on a drowning victim is that it may cause the victim to vomit and, somewhat ironically, choke. After researching one such case study , Dr. James Orlowski found himself on the receiving end of Heimlich's by way of Dr.

Patrick attacks. Initially, Dr. Orlowski suspected little more than bad science was behind Dr. Patrick's response, which called out Orlowski's "anecdotal" claims right before relying on its own anecdotes. Heimlich's entire maneuver was based on a false understanding of drowning , which Orlowski was more than happy to refute. But Heimlich wrote his own response, which the journal refused to publish -- Dr. Orlowski says he saw it, and claims that in it, Heimlich called him a "liar" and "totally unscientific.

Despite the mounting evidence, the Heimlich maneuver continued to be taught as an option in drowning cases. But Heimlich's battles were far from over. One of Heimlich's sons, Peter, set out to discredit his father's career , and people started to take notice. Whether by Peter's efforts, or the evidence against the maneuver, or some combination, major organizations began changing their guidelines to exclude the Heimlich for drowning victims.

The process hasn't been quick. Just this year, the last major lifesaving agency to promote the Heimlich for drowning finally removed it from its guidelines. As Heimlich's maneuver was coming under more intense scrutiny, he asked the American Red Cross to take his name off their protocol if they continued to recommend back slaps -- he didn't want to be associated with the organization's standards at all, since "patients were going to die" by not receiving the Heimlich first.

Heimlich's maneuver, the organization recommends only back blows and "abdominal thrusts" for conscious choking victims. No mention of Heimlich. There is some tragedy in the story of Henry Heimlich, which is bookended by his support for malariotherapy -- injecting malaria into HIV patients in the hopes that it will stimulate the immune system to fight AIDS.

You can probably guess that not only does this not work, it could produce disastrous consequences. Had Heimlich -- who's still alive at age 96, but did not respond to requests for comment on this story -- allowed his maneuver to remain a useful tool to help save a choking victim, he might have been universally revered; he simply never stopped pushing the envelope.

Even his first claim to fame, the innovative esophageal procedure, was probably stolen or borrowed from a doctor practicing behind the Iron Curtain. It now bears the names of both men. If the person doesn't give the signal, look for these indications:.

If the person is able to cough forcefully, the person should keep coughing. If the person is choking and can't talk, cry or laugh forcefully, the American Red Cross recommends a "five-and-five" approach to delivering first aid:. The American Heart Association doesn't teach the back blow technique, only the abdominal thrust procedures.

It's OK not to use back blows if you haven't learned the technique. Both approaches are acceptable. If you're the only rescuer, perform back blows and abdominal thrusts before calling or your local emergency number for help.

If another person is available, have that person call for help while you perform first aid. If the person becomes unconscious, perform standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR with chest compressions and rescue breaths. First, if you're alone and choking, call or your local emergency number immediately. Then, although you'll be unable to effectively deliver back blows to yourself, you can still perform abdominal thrusts to dislodge the item.

If the child is older than age 1 and conscious, give abdominal thrusts only. Be careful not to use too much force to avoid damaging ribs or internal organs. To prepare yourself for these situations, learn the Heimlich maneuver and CPR in a certified first-aid training course.

There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health. How can I prevent choking? You can prevent choking in adults by following these precautionary measures: Cut food into small pieces.

Chew food slowly and thoroughly, especially if wearing dentures. Avoid laughing and talking while chewing and swallowing. Avoid excessive intake of alcohol before and during meals. You can prevent choking in infants and children by following these precautionary measures: Keep marbles, beads, thumbtacks, latex balloons, coins, and other small toys and objects out of reach, particularly in children younger than 4 years old.

Prevent children from walking, running, or playing when they have food and toys in their mouth. Supervise mealtimes with young children.

Prevent older siblings from giving a dangerous food or toy to a young child. What is the recommended first-aid technique for choking?