Choking is a fear to which many parents are subjected, and they are not without reason. According to Red Cross data, this is the third leading cause of unnatural death in Spain. However, many of these accidents can be avoided by applying a first aid technique known as the Heimlich maneuver.
Undoubtedly, knowing this maneuver will allow immediate and effective actions to be taken to avoid death or any serious injury in children. It is vital to be aware of this procedure and to know how it is performed on infants, as well as to understand what not to do.
What is the Heimlich maneuver?
The Heimlich maneuver is a first aid technique that consists of unblocking the respiratory tract in the event of choking on a foreign body or food. It consists of performing a firm abdominal compression just below the ribs so that the person expels air from the lungs and the object can be evacuated. But it should be noted that this maneuver has another way of being applied when performed on children under one year of age.
Why is it called that?
The Heimlich maneuver owes its name to the American physician Henry Heimlich who developed it in 1974. This procedure had some controversy in its beginnings, since, at that time, the most common thing to do was to slap the victim's back hard or introduce the fingers into the throat to avoid suffocation, but Heimlich considered that what this achieved was to introduce even more the object in the throat.
The Heimlich maneuver in infants
The Heimlich maneuver, as it is known, is performed by standing behind the person and holding him or her with both hands above the navel to apply pressure, but this system is not recommended for children under 1 year of age.
The Heimlich maneuver in infants who are choking should be performed according to the following steps:
- The baby is placed face down, leaning crosswise on the adult's forearm or thigh.
- With the same hand, his head is supported and his jaw is held.
- With the other hand, 5 slaps are given between the two shoulder blades, with a lateral escape path, avoiding hitting the head.
- The baby is then carefully turned and the head is held in place.
- If the baby does not react, the adult should place two or three fingers (preferably the index and middle finger) under the nipple line and perform 5 slow, deep compressions on the center of the sternum.
- This maneuver should be alternated until the object is unobstructed.
What not to do?
The Heimlich maneuver should only be performed when it is certain that the infant has choked, and it is essential not to lose control of emotions. In addition, if the maneuver is applied and the baby does not expel the object, but loses consciousness, it is vital to seek help to apply a CPR technique. During the application of this maneuver it is necessary to constantly check the airway and try to visualize the object for its removal.
If the object cannot be seen, do not insert your fingers into the infant's throat, but continue the technique until the infant breathes or medical help arrives.
From Logos Nursery School, nursery school located in Las Rozas de Madrid, we believe that knowing the Heimlich maneuver, as well as other basic first aid procedures, is an effective way to prevent deaths or serious health damage, in addition to raising awareness on the subject. That is why, more and more schools are concerned about teaching these techniques to their students and the educational community in general.
