The Heimlich maneuver can be used safely on both adults and
children, but most experts do not recommend it for infants less
than 1 year old. You can also perform the maneuver on yourself.
For a conscious person who is sitting or standing, position
yourself behind the person and reach your arms around his or her
waist. Place your fist, thumb side in, just above the person's
navel and grab the fist tightly with your other hand. Pull your
fist abruptly upward and inward to increase airway pressure
behind the obstructing object and force it from the windpipe. If
the person is conscious and lying on his or her back, straddle
the person facing the head. Push your grasped fist upward and
inward in a maneuver similar to the one above. You may need to
repeat the procedure several times before the object is
dislodged. If repeated attempts do not free the airway, an
emergency cut in the windpipe (tracheostomy or cricothyrotomy)
may be necessary. Manno M. Pediatric respiratory emergencies.
In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Wal