Can you heimlich yourself

Seek medical help Once you dislodge the obstruction, you should go to the emergency room or urgent care. The Heimlich maneuver can cause internal damage and you should be examined for any complications.

The doctor will also check your lungs to be sure you have not aspirated any foreign substance into your lungs which could cause infection or other complications. Alternative choking maneuvers If the object still will not come out after trying the methods mentioned above, you can use the back of a chair to increase the pressure that you are able to exert.

Keep your hands in the same position as with the Heimlich maneuver, but lean your torso over the back of a chair. This should allow you to increase the amount of pressure and dislodge the object. Another alternative option to try if the abdominal thrusts did not work is a technique that was developed by Fireman and Paramedic, Jeff Rehman, and made popular on YouTube. It looks a lot like a push up, but with a little more upward momentum than is typical and allowing yourself to fall with your arms straight in front of you.

Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Choking Heimlich maneuver. American College of Emergency Physicians. Accessed Aug. American Red Cross. Airway establishment and control. Merck Manual Professional Version. Tintinalli JE, et al. Resuscitation of children. New York, N.

Kleinman ME, et al. Part 5: Adult basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality — American Heart Association guidelines update for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care. Claypool DW expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. See also Infant choking prevention.

Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Aug 7, I have choked in the past, but was fortunate to have someone there. Now that I'm older and often alone, I needed to find out if the technique could be performed by oneself. It can! Choking at any meal is a real possibility, and the technique can save your life. Without it, you are probably not going to make it. Read, watch the videos, have confidence.

You can do it, if it's your life at stake! More reader stories Hide reader stories. Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Paul M. Mike Abbott Apr 18, Not just for my walkers, but also for myself, should I be unfortunate enough to experience choking when I'm alone. Very useful article, straightforward diagram and explanation. Rated this article:.

Danielle Foster Apr 18, I was directed to this website by the Shuffle My Life app. It was a very clear explanation, and should I ever need it, I think I will know how to properly use the Heimlich maneuver. Thank you. Michael Gabriel Guieb Feb 6, My bro's was in Walmart, my mom and dad are sleeping it was pm and I was alone.

Luckily it worked! Thanks to this, I was saved! Gale Zvitt Sep 2, Thank you for the information. The Heimlich maneuver is a first aid procedure used when a person is choking. If you are alone and you are choking, you can try to dislodge the item in your throat or windpipe by performing the Heimlich maneuver on yourself.

When you are choking, your airway may be blocked so that not enough oxygen reaches the lungs. Without oxygen, brain damage can occur in as little as 4 to 6 minutes. Rapid first aid for choking can save your life. If you are choking on something, you can perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself.