When someone is choking on food, you probably know what to do.  But if someone has an asthma attack, you might stand by helplessly.  Fortunately, what works for choking also works for asthma – the Heimlich Maneuver^®.

According to The Heimlich Institute, “The Heimlich Maneuver^® has long been used to save the lives of choking and drowning victims worldwide. Research has now proven it to be effective for asthma and cystic fibrosis.

In performing the Heimlich Maneuver^®, you press up on the diaphragm. This action gently compresses the lungs, causing the trapped air to flow out through the airway, carrying away the mucous plugs, ending the asthma attack and allowing the individual to breathe freely.

Helping someone else

1. Stand behind the choker and wrap your arms around his or her waist.
2. Make a fist, and place the thumb side of that fist against the upper abdomen, above the belly button but below the ribcage.
3. Grab your fist with your other hand and press into the upper abdomen with a quick, but gentle upward thrust.  Do not squeeze the ribcage.
4. Repeat if necessary.

Helping yourself
If you’re alone and having an asthma attack, you can perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself.  Just skip the first step and follow the rest of the directions.  Or you can lean over a table, chair, or railing and briefly force your upper abdomen against its edge.

Online Resources:

http://globalcrisis.info/choking.html

“Heimlich Maneuver Benefits Asthma Sufferers” by Rallie McAllister MD, Creators Syndicate

Image:  Image courtesy of The Heimlich Institute

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