HEIMLICH TO CLEAR AIRWAYS?
Any Heimlich advocates out there? Ref:
Using the Heimlich Maneuver to clear water from the airways? This is sometimes used in the USA before starting resucitation (see
this link for the paper & the one above for instructions).
'The Heimlich Maneuver for DROWNING "You can't get air into the lungs until you get the water out!" '
"CONCLUSIONS
The scientific facts concerning drowning and resuscitation, including published case reports, prove that drowning victims die when their lungs fill with water. Air cannot get into water-filled lungs. Heimlich maneuvers remove the water from the lungs in four to six seconds. Pressing upward on the diaphragm jump-starts breathing. Many drowning victims have been saved by rescuers performing the Heimlich maneuver, even after CPR failed. The Heimlich maneuver should be the first step in resuscitating a drowning victim, followed by CPR, if necessary."
[Also, see self-Heimlich, infant Heimlich & Heimlich for severe Asthma Attacks...it definitely works for choking, I had to use it on a friend once (dry bread jammed in throat). Also had to deal with a choking infant in a high chair -- the non-Heimlich back slapping technique often taught as first aid did *not* work (Heimlich recommends against this, despite normal first aid practice) -- ended up putting my fingers down the childs throat to clear it...life or death, no other choice (he lived). Turned out to be a soft, slippery piece of cucumber sealing his throat off completely.]
