.PRIL-MAY, 1977 THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER EASY TO FOLLOW HEIMLICH MANEUVER SAVING CHOKING VICTIMS According to medical statistics, choking on food particles is the sixth leading cause of accidental death in the United States. It is safe to assume that a large number of Canadians also die from this cause. Until lately, very little could be done to save a choking person’s life unless qualified medical attention was applied within minutes. Now thanks to the efforts of Dr. H. J. Heimlich, a simple method has been found that a Fig. 1 - The Heimlich sign for “! am choking on food.” layman can use to prevent this type of death. Known as the Heimlich Maneuver the procedure calls for the rescuer to stand behind the victim and wrap both arms around the victim’s waist. Make a fist of one hand and place the thumb against the victim’s abdomen, slightly above the navel and below the rib cage. Press the fist into the victim’s abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Repeat several times if necessary. When the victim is sitting, the rescuer | stands behind the victim’s chair and performs the maneuver in the same manner. A variation of the maneuver can be performed when the } ; victim has collapsed or the rescuer is unable to lift the body. First place victim on the back. Then facing person kneel astride the hips. The rescuer then places one of his hands on top of the other using the heel of the bottom hand on the abdomen slightly above the navel and below the rib cage. Press into the victim’s ab- domen with a quick upward thrust. Repeat as necessary. _ Should the victim vomit, es — the person on the id wipe out the mouth to re tion. can be recognized . The victim eannot speak or breathe; will become pale, then deeply and collapses. victim suggests that a I si 1 be used to vo a person is mmends that between the thumb and index finger -of one hand. The Heimlich Maneuver has been highly successful on drowning victims. In a number of cases, established life- saving techniques had been attempted first by competent first-aid personnel and proved unsuccessful. When the Heimlich Maneuver was used the victims quickly recovered. The technique of the Heimlich Maneuver should be standardized as previously described in order that it be performed in a uniform and safe manner. One letter stated that the rescuer inadvertently faced the victim when success- fully applying the maneuver, indicating that the principle is sound despite variation in technique. In two cases, ribs were broken when the maneuver was improperly performed. ‘Although this is a small price to pay for having one’s life saved, it emphasizes the im- portance of stressing that the rescuer must apply the pressure with his fist below the rib cage. The maneuver is not, as some news media have stated, a ‘‘bear hug.”’ Squeezing with the arms (a bear hug) could injure intro- abdominal organs, such as the liver or spleen. When the maneuver is properly per- formed, the possibility of this complication should not be a deterrent to saving a choking victim. In teaching the maneuver, however, this potential danger should be mentioned. We also advise that any choking victim be examined by a physician immediately after the rescue. It might be hazardous to perform the maneuver on a pregnant woman, but it should certainly be used if she would die from choking without it. Thirteen persons saved themselves, indicating that when no help is at hand, a food- choking victim should use the maneuver by pressing his own fist or a firm object into the subdiaphragmatic region in the hope of saving his own life. The reports of ejection of water from the throats and lungs of drowning victims are too few for a definitive con- clusion concerning the value of the maneuver in this situation. It seems logical, however, that mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or oxygen administration may not be successful when water is present in the throat or lungs. Applying the maneuver initially to expel water from the airway, then administering oxygen, would seem the most effective life-saving technique. SOUND ADVICE Courtesy, caution and com- mon sense are good, accident- preventing qualities on the job, at home and in the driver’s seat of your car. The Heimlich Maneuver to Prevent Food-Choking in Humans Rescuer Standing (Fig. 2) — Stand behind the victim and wrap your arms around his waist. Grasp your fist with your other hand and place the thumb side of your fist against the victim’s abdo- men, slightly above the navel and below the rib cage. Press your fist into the victim’s abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Repeat several times if necessary. When the victim is sitting, the rescuer stands behind the victim’s chair and performs the maneuver in the same manner. Left: Application of Heimlich Maneuver when victim is standing. Right: Position of res- cuer’s hands. (Victim is undressed for demon- stration purposes only; it is not necessary to- remove his clothing.) Rescuer Kneeling (Fig. 3) — A variation of the maneuver can be performed when the victim has collapsed or the res- cuer is unable to lift him. Victim is lying on his back. Facing victim, kneel astride his hips. With one of your hands on top of the other, place the heel of your bottom hand on the abdomen slightly above the navel and below the rib cage. Press into the victim’s abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Repeat several times if necessary. Should the victim vomit, quickly place him on his side and wipe out his mouth to pre- vent aspiration. * te 5 a ” ~ REGIONAL ist VICE-PRESIDENT Stan Parker (far right) is shown installing the new officers of the Regional Safety and Health Council. Group from left, Tom McCrae, Chair- man; Jack Higgens, 3rd Vice-Chairman; Verna Ledger, Recording Secretary; Jack Welder, Ist Vice-Chairman; Jack Kerssons, 2nd Vice-Chairman; Bob Carter, 4th Vice- Chairman.