In article >, Andy <q> says...
> Julia Altshuler said...
>
> > sf wrote:
> >>
> >> You need the Heimlich if you *can't* do something like swallow or
> >> breathe. It happened to me once. I had something stuck in my throat,
> >> I could breathe in, but couldn't exhale. It was scary, but I lived to
> >> tell the tale.
> >
> >
> > Thanks. I was going to elaborate. This is one of those situations
> > where a little knowledge can be dangerous. People get the idea that
> > giving the Heimlich maneuvre is as simple as punching someone in the
> > stomach. Knowing when it's appropriate is at least as important as
> > doing it right.
> >
> >
> > If a person is coughing, they don't need the Heimlich. That means air
> > is going out. If air is going out, air is going in. The person is
> > breathing. They need time and space, the chance to cough, maybe water,
> > but they should be fine. Stay near in case they do need emergency care,
> > but that's it.
> >
> >
> > The Heimlich is based on an obstruction in the throat. The idea is to
> > punch the air which is in the lungs anyway out with enough force to
> > remove the obstruction. Someone with a full obstruction can't breathe,
> > can't talk. They'll usually look distressed and motion to their throat.
> > That's when you calmly walk behind them, put your arms around, find
> > the place where the ribs join, and make the quick jab upward movement.
> >
> >
> > Another example of the little knowledge problem is when people get the
> > idea to deliver mouth-to-mouth. If there's an obstruction, air isn't
> > going in or out. Trying to blow air in runs the risk of pushing the
> > obstruction down further. Bad idea.
> >
> >
> > --Lia
>
>
> Lia,
>
> I took a two-day CPR class at the local hospital and they in addition
> taught us the Heimlich maneuver. That was many years ago. I should retake
> the class and get my "Good Samaritan" card back. Iirc, you have to retake
> the class annually.
>
> Andy
>
>

I recall going out for a family dinner at a local restaurant. It was
myself, my father, his wife and my sisters.

My dads wife now deceased, which is very sad since she was a good woman,
was an R.N.

While we were in the restaurant we saw the classic choking signs happen
to another diner. Without a thought Peggy got up, walked over and
performed the Heimlich maneuver and saved the persons life.

The restaurant management and the person saved both sent bottles of wine
to the table in thanks.