When is the Heimlich maneuver indicated?

• A. Applied to infants under one year old
• B. Used on child until the object is expelled or the victim becomes unresponsive
• C. Used on adults with choking
• D. Applied with back blows first

Answer: (B)

Choking due to a lodged object is an airway emergency. The Heimlich maneuver is intended for a conscious person with a severe obstruction from a foreign body. You deliver abdominal thrusts repeatedly, aiming to pop the object loose and clear the airway, and you keep doing this until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive. If they become unresponsive, start CPR immediately and check the mouth for the object, removing it if you can see it. This method is not used for infants under one year, who receive back blows and chest thrusts instead. For adults who are unable to tolerate abdominal thrusts (such as during pregnancy or obesity), chest thrusts can be used as an alternative.