When giving abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) to a choking person, the responder should place their hands just above the person's navel (belly button), specifically the thumb side of the fist positioned slightly above the bellybutton or navel. The fist is then grasped with the other hand, and quick, upward and inward thrusts are performed to help expel the obstruction from the airway
. Key details:
- Position the fist with the thumb side in, just above the navel.
- Grasp the fist tightly with the other hand.
- Deliver quick, upward and inward thrusts.
- If the person is standing or sitting, stand behind them and reach around their waist.
- For a person lying on their back, straddle them facing the head and perform the thrusts similarly
If the person is pregnant or extremely overweight, chest thrusts are recommended instead of abdominal thrusts, applied to the middle of the breastbone rather than the abdomen
. This hand placement targets the diaphragm area to create pressure that forces air out of the lungs, helping to dislodge the object blocking the airway
