*Since my recent postings on The Heimlich Maneuver, my attention has been drawn to a November 15, 2007 press release by The American Red Cross, which contains information that suggests that (1) "The Heimlich Maneuver" is no longer their preferred way of describing the "traditional" techniques for helping people who are choking on their food, and that (2) they are substituting the phrase "Five-and-Five Can Keep Them Alive" for describing this process, and that (3) they have in fact modified their recommendations on this subject, as reflected in the following quote from this press release.
"To help someone who is choking, remember "FIVE-and-FIVE Can Keep Them Alive." First, ask the person if they are able to breathe and if you can help. Once you know the person is unable to cough, speak or breathe, have someone call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number, lean the person forward and give FIVE sharp back blows with the heel of your hand. If the obstruction isn't dislodged, give the person FIVE quick, upward abdominal thrusts. If you are alone, you can perform abdominal thrusts on yourself, just as you would on someone else. Thrusts can also be administered by pressing your abdomen firmly against an object such as the back of a chair."
Note: Additional information about this an other related subjects may be obtained by telephoning The American Red Cross at 1-202-303-4498 and/or by connecting to their website at http://www.redcross.org/ .
2 comments:
Seattle public radio recently broadcast an unusual and fascinating story about an Everett, Washington physician who may have come up with a more effective means of choking rescue than the Heimlich. The audio and the text are available via the link below.
Heimlich Maneuver by Patricia Murphy, KUOW, 12/3/07
Thanks for the tip, which I will be looking into in the very near future.
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